After 45 Years of Shaping Careers in Care, This Trainer's Legacy Lives On in North Wales

A Remarkable Career in Care Training Comes to a Close

A dedicated care sector trainer who has influenced thousands of careers has retired after an impressive 45 years in the profession. Ann Serridge, from New Brighton near Mold, is stepping down from her role leading the Pendine Park Academy in Wrexham.

Over her career, she progressed from a young care worker to a senior assessor, supporting the development of care staff across North Wales. Her contributions were recognized with a gold Wales Care Award in 2012 and an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party, which she attended with her husband, William.

Innovative Training at Pendine Park Academy

At Pendine Park, Ann led training programmes first at the organisation’s Hillbury Road site before moving to a purpose-built academy at Wrexham Technology Park. The facility includes a virtual training centre designed to replicate real-life care environments, featuring a resident’s lounge, bedroom, dining area, and settings like a pop-up pharmacy, pub, ice cream parlour, and hair and beauty salon.

The academy provides training for around 300 care practitioners each year, including staff from Pendine Park and other organisations.

Recognition and Impact

Pendine Park owner Mario Kreft praised Ann’s dedication: “I have known Ann for more than 30 years and always been hugely impressed by her sense of dedication. Her compassion and empathy for those in her care was apparent from the moment we met. I could not think of a better mentor for people coming into this sector.”

He added, “Ann has knowledge, professional skills, experience and a natural ability to pass on to others all that she has learned over the years. She does this in an informed and encouraging way, and as a care organisation we are lucky to have reaped the benefits of her teaching.”

A Focus on Continuous Learning

At a celebratory lunch, colleagues highlighted her commitment to high standards and ongoing professional development. Ann shared her guiding ethos: “Everyone in the organisation can always benefit from training, whether at the start of their career or as ongoing career progression. From the youngest newcomer to the management ranks, the gardeners, the caterers or the cleaners, no matter what their job, training gives people confidence, keeps them updated on new practices and it helps them better engage with each other and with our residents, which is the most important benefit of all.”

Ann Chapman, manager of Pendine Park’s Bodlondeb care home, said: “Ann is a dear friend, who has always being wholeheartedly committed. It has long been her goal to provide, not just generic training, but the right kind of training, suited to individual needs. She is passionate about ongoing career development, best practice and ultimately improving the well-being of anyone in need of social care provision.”

Looking Ahead

Ann plans to relax for a while before deciding what comes next, spending more time with her family and going on outings. She expressed gratitude to her team and confidence in the training programme’s future.