![[Home Care Hero] Jessica Morris](https://carelinelive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Home-Care-Hero-Jessica-Morris.png "[Home Care Hero] Jessica Morris")
Jessica Morris is this year’s winner of CareLineLive’s prestigious Home Care Hero of the Year Award! And, what an inspirational hero Jessica is. Nominated by Gemma Wyss, Customer Service and Marketing Manager and Kayomi Carter, Home Care Manager at Morris Healthcare Group.
Jessica has been a remarkable leader for several years. Notably, she became the UK’s youngest care home manager at just 21 years old. Since that milestone, Jessica has continued to thrive, dedicating herself to enhancing health and social care while uniting communities with a clear vision to combat social isolation. We asked Jessica and her team all about their journey to date and their future vision for the company.
Gemma and Kayomi, why did you nominate Jessica for the award?
Jessica is a breath of fresh air and very empowering and she cares about people using services and those working in the service. When Jessica said that she was opening her own home care company we wanted to be part of that journey. Jessica is client focused and wants to give the care and support that people deserve and not just what people need.
Jessica isn’t just the CEO of Morris Healthcare Group she the mother! She nurtures the company and puts her whole heart into it and we are so proud of far she has come. She’s done so much at such a young age and if she can come this far, there’s so much more that she will do. We’re so lucky to be around Jessica. One word that comes to mind is respect, she has respect for the clients, respect for us and we have the respect for her 100%!
Jessica, what was your reaction when you were told that you had won the award!
I was shocked and only told that I had to jump on a call, when I joined the call I knew that something was happening but I really didn’t know what. I’m not one for being in the limelight I’m a person the keeps my head down and just keeps going forward and when I achieve I want everyone else to achieve with me. I like to reflect on the achievements I’ve had so far because it isn’t just about me, I’m where I am because of the people around me who support me and those who physically do the work alongside me. I sometimes struggle to accept that I’ve done well because I want everyone else to do well.
The nomination was genuine and not because we work in partnership with CareLineLive and based solely on the nomination so yes, I’m really pleased.
What was your inspiration to have a career in health and social care?
Health and social care was definitely not on my radar. I actually went to university and studied fashion design and textiles. I went to school in Cyprus and the education system is academic achievement led and therefore I was two years ahead of my age group and I actually finished my school education at 16 and then decided to come to the UK to continue with my studies.
I worked while I studied and I actually provided care for an elderly gentleman in Preston near Manchester, the agreement was the I would look after him while I was studying at university and doing my degree. He was so ill and I found myself caring for him day in and day out, eventually rehabilitating him to a standard where he lived for several more years. I then went back to the Isle of Man where I was born and looked after children with disabilities due to birth trauma and I just fell in love with care and giving back to people.
Then my mum was ill and I knew that we could support her through her illness. I think some people are brought into this world to give back and that’s what I’ve found with care. I haven’t found that in any other industry. From a financial aspect I’ve never been driven by money. I was the UK’s youngest ever care home manager aged 21, probably on minimum wage but that wasn’t an issue for me, it wasn’t about my age, it was about having the attitude to make a difference.
I’ve always had that about me, to want to care for people. I like seeing people grow, I’ve seen many people grow from carers to managers and even to regional support managers. I like to support them and it’s been phenomenal to grow in my career alongside making people happy and making a difference.
We’re born into this world and we only have one life and it’s got to be a good one. When people have worked hard all of their life and it’s time for them to receive care and support there should be people around to deliver that. We’re all human and if you give 110% then that’s where you make a difference.
What does being a CEO mean to you?
Oh wow, I haven’t actually been asked this question before.
I’m the glue, getting all the pieces together and seeing the picture grow, is what my role is all about.’ It’s being the face of an organisation, the glue that keeps everything together, where we all have the same vision. I was recently asked why had I set up Morris Healthcare when I had a great job, great salary etc. My reply was, it’s about the ‘Why!
My ‘Why’ is to make a difference, have people in roles that can do them effectively, that are trained well, that love their jobs and who go home happy. We spend 75% of our working life with people we work with whether in the office or in the field. There’s no reason that people should be disgruntled and unhappy because we’re doing such an amazing job and role. When we are challenged with people’s health conditions or diagnosis we’re still making a difference.
What are the challenges you face in your role as CEO?
I find it hard to switch off because when you create a company you’re so passionate about what you do. You set your vision, you’ve written you’re policies and created your handbook and involve everyone in the process, the problem is that you can become a bit of a control freak because it’s your baby and it’s difficult to delegate and you don’t think that anyone will love it as much as you do, it’s a challenge. But, I have learned to allow people to manage their departments, I can’t do it all. You’ve got to have a fantastic solid team behind you, that you value and trust and its important to work in an open and transparent way, that is key!
The financials can be a challenge for some CEO’s and they can be a setback, however, if you are a CEO who is not solely focused on the financials and revenue but actually want to reinvest in the business long term, you can actually make such difference. We have a structured plan for business growth with our own dedicated teams and our vision is to deliver excellent domiciliary care and also to provide social well being, through community engagement and inclusivity.
We want to provide better care in the community and it is so doable and sometimes it’s not about financially investment, it’s about how we work with families and the wider community. Community spirit speaks volumes for itself. I want to give back.
The nomination, how do you feel about what was said?
Jessica’s commitment to improving standards and promoting compassionate care has not only elevated you team’s work but has also set a new benchmark in home care. Your drive to make a meaningful difference at such a young age is truly inspiring, making you a standout Home Care Hero.
I’ve had my own health battles in the past 12 months and that experience humbles you, it makes you realise what’s important in life and if anything happened to me I’d want my legacy to continue and that’s why I’m making sure that everything is in place. This is not something that we talk about often, but if it were the case I want my wishes and everything that is important to me to be there so that the team could carry on.
If you can be tap into the community then why not. People are struggling with heating and we want to bring communities together and provide social activity, food, drinks and healthcare and this is how we’ll tackle social isolation. Myself and the team have so much that we want to do, it’s a joint effort and the ideas are not just mine they are those of the team as well.
When you’re not working hard with Morris Healthcare Group, how do you like to spend your down time?
OK so, I’m quite creative and I’m actually a tattoo artist, I draw on people, (Jessica laughs) and that was only ever a hobby, I have actually worked with private organisations. I’ve worked with cancer patients for covering scarring. I also do anything artistic, I do lots of painting and craft making, basically anything where I don’t have to use my brain and can let the creativity flow.
As far as sport goes, it’s skating, which I haven’t done for a year as I’ve had quite a few operations and didn’t want to put myself at risk. I said to the team last week that it’s time we take the leap, after a risk assessment of course!
