Leading the way in care training and development across the Lilian Faithfull group.

Introducing Jay Hill

If you’ve ever met Jay, you’ll know two things straight away: he’s passionate about care, and he believes in people.

“I’ve worked in care since I was sixteen,” Jay says. “It’s always been in my family. I started as a part-time carer, went off into IT for a few years, but I kept getting drawn back. Care is where my heart is.”

That pull towards helping others has shaped a career that spans more than two decades, from carer and manager to running his own training business and now leading the Training & Development team at Lilian Faithfull Care.

Why Lilian Faithfull?

For Jay, joining our charity wasn’t just another career move; it was a values-based decision.

“It was the fact that Lilian Faithfull is a charity,” he explains. “They give back to residents, and the Home for Life promise really stood out to me. That tells you it’s not about profit; it’s about people. That’s why I came here, and it’s what’s kept me here.”

No two days the same

Jay’s days are rarely predictable. “No two days have ever been the same,” he smiles. “One day I’ll be running inductions, the next I’m out visiting homes, finding out what training support the teams need. You’ve got to be where the people are; that’s how you know what makes a difference.”

His approach is deliberately hands-on and training at Lilian Faithfull isn’t something that happens in a classroom and stops there.

Jay and his team spend time on the floor, alongside carers, learning what they face day to day and helping them translate theory into practice.

“It’s about making sure what we teach actually works for our residents,” he says. “Every home is different, every team is different, so our training needs to reflect that.”

The Lilian Faithfull Training Academy

Earlier this year, Jay launched the Lilian Faithfull Training Academy, an initiative that pulls together the charity’s long-standing reputation for excellent training into a single, clear development pathway.

“Lilian Faithfull already had an exceptional reputation for training,” Jay says. “The idea behind the Academy was to bring it all together, to give it a name and a direction. Whether you are brand new or have been here for 20 years, you can see your next step.”

The Academy supports everyone from new recruits completing their Care Certificate to experienced colleagues taking apprenticeships or even Trainee Nurse Associates.

“For new starters, it’s about giving them a solid foundation,” Jay explains. “For existing staff, it’s about opening doors, letting them explore different parts of the organisation, and arming them with the tools to get there.”

Beyond box-ticking

Training at Lilian Faithfull isn’t just about compliance. Jay is determined that every course connects directly to quality of life for residents.

“We’re not here to tick boxes,” he says firmly. “We’re here to build confidence, skill and empathy. Some of the best carers aren’t the fastest; they’re the ones who sit down, listen and talk. Sometimes care is a five-minute chat that makes someone’s whole day.”

That focus on “soft skills” such as empathy, patience and communication is what Jay believes makes the biggest difference. “People think care is just washing or dressing someone,” he says, “but really, it’s about filling the gaps in someone’s life that they can’t fill themselves. That could be making a cup of tea, going for a walk, or just being there. That’s care.”

A culture of development

Jay’s goal is to make development a two-way conversation. “We’re constantly asking for feedback,” he says. “If we’re going to improve care, we need to listen to the people who are delivering it, and to the residents themselves.”

It’s an approach that’s already inspiring others. “At the moment, we’ve got around 30 apprenticeships running across the charity,” Jay says proudly. “People are realising they can build a whole career here, not just a job.”

That culture of encouragement runs through the whole team.

Charlette Hardy recently joined as Training Administrator, moving from her previous role as Receptionist at Royal Court. Her enthusiasm for supporting others made her a perfect fit for the growing department.

“I’m so pleased to have passed the interview process,” says Charlette. “Jay and Rebecca are great to work with. I’ve always had an interest in teaching and motivating others. For some people, the idea of studying can be daunting, but I’ve seen the benefits of gaining my own NVQ qualifications. This role feels like such a natural fit.”

Rebecca, who has been part of the training team for two years, will soon be going on maternity leave. She reflects on the sense of pride and purpose that comes from seeing colleagues grow.

“Working with Jay has been great,” she says. “We’re so excited to be launching the new Academy – it’s really taking our training and development to the next level. We feel supported and appreciated as a team, and it’s so rewarding to help others realise what they’re capable of.”

Rebecca and Charlette have seen an increase in staff coming forward with career ambitions – whether to become trainers, nurses or chefs – and the team is there to help make that happen.

“We’re proud to support people all the way up to Level 4 and top-level apprenticeships,” Rebecca adds. “We’ve expanded our in-house training too, with more people completing ‘train-the-trainer’ courses and becoming Fire Wardens, Falls Champions or Digital Champions. It’s about empowering people to share best practice and inspire confidence in their colleagues.”

Together, Jay, Rebecca and Charlette are helping to build a culture where learning is accessible, supportive and celebrated – a place where everyone is encouraged to grow and reach their potential.

Looking ahead

When asked about the future, Jay doesn’t hesitate. “I want Lilian Faithfull to be the benchmark for training in the sector,” he says. “People think of the NHS as the standard for healthcare. Why can’t Lilian Faithfull be the standard everyone aspires to in care?”

His vision is to grow the Training Academy into something that supports not just the charity’s own staff, but other care providers too, sharing best practice and raising standards across the industry.

Because for Jay, that’s what it’s all about. “Care isn’t a day job; it’s people’s lives we’re dealing with,” he says. “If we can train people to understand that and give them the confidence and compassion to act on it, then we’re doing something truly meaningful.”

Ready to develop your career?

To find out more about and to see our current opportunities at Lilian Faithfull, please visit https://www.lilianfaithfull.co.uk/about-us/work-with-us/