A Warrington charity boss is celebrating 30 years of dedicated caring giving

Phil Orton, a 48-year-old charity executive has reached a milestone of three decades working in care having begun volunteering at his local care home at the age of 12.

After leaving school with only minimal qualifications, Phil began working at The Cedars residential home in Holmes Chapel aged 17 where he proved his abilities early on and was promoted to supervisor within 10 months, excelling through his career from then on.

Phil currently works for Warrington-based charity Making Space, located on Allen St, who provide health and social care services for mental health, learning disabilities, dementia patients and carers.

Since joining the charity in 2017 as executive director of HR, Phil’s efforts and impact have not gone un-noticed with him recently being named ‘chief of people’ at the company.

Commenting on his latest success and long full career within care, he said: “I am thrilled to have been named chief people officer at Making Space and will give my all every day to support the charity, the people who work for us and the people we support.”

He added: “After 30 years in the care profession, I know it has always been in my blood.”

Detailing his roots of inspiration that lead to him becoming a carer he said: “Both my parents worked in nursing and my dad was a senior nurse manager for people with learning disabilities. From the age of 12 I would go to work with him and do crafts and cooking as a volunteer. Even then, I knew I wanted to work in social care.”

Lending much of his success to the employees and team leaders that worked around him, he added: “I was very lucky that some senior people I worked with helped me to develop, nurture and support me. The encouragement I received throughout my career inspired me to become a leader.

“Good services need happy employees, and happy employees need good leaders. There are no outstanding services with poor leaders.”

Racheal Peacock, CEO of Making Space described Phil’s ‘natural affinity’ for leadership and his great ability to help others develop within their own roles.

Commenting on his longevity within the caring industry she said: “He is a pioneer in social care: as he says, it’s something that’s always been in his blood and for him it’s a vocation, not a job. Making Space, and the social care sector, are incredibly lucky to have him.”