Meet the Manager: Natasha Cowan

Here, the newly-appointed manager of Renaissance Care's Beech Manor Home in Blairgowrie talks about her rewarding career to date and her motivation to improve the lives of others with kindness.

“I often think back to when I started my career as a care assistant and I would say to myself, ‘one day, I’m going to be the manager of a care home’. To have achieved that ambition is something I am incredibly proud of,” says Natasha, a 33-year-old mother of one.

“If there’s one phrase that reflects how I try to approach both my personal and professional life, it is ‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind’.

“I have a genuine passion for elderly care and believe that every resident deserves to be treated with compassion, dignity and respect.”

Natasha’s journey began in 2011 when she joined Renaissance Care’s Benvie Home in Dundee as a care assistant.

She achieved her Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3 and in 2019, embarked on a degree in Adult Nursing at Dundee University.

“Following qualification, I made the decision to remain at Benvie Care Home as a Staff Nurse. My career progressed quickly, and over the following years I developed my clinical and leadership skills before being promoted to Charge Nurse/Clinical Lead.

“I then moved to Beech Manor, where I took on the role of Deputy Manager. I was subsequently given the opportunity to undertake the Interim Home Manager position, which provided invaluable experience and further developed my leadership skills. When the permanent Home Manager position became available, I decided to apply and was delighted to be successful.

“I am extremely proud of my journey within the care sector and reaching my current position as Home Manager at Beech Manor Care Home.”

Natasha says her “ultimate vision” is building on the success of previous managers and nurturing an environment where residents thrive and are supported by a “strong, compassionate and dedicated staff team”.

“I am committed to creating an environment where residents feel comfortable, valued, happy and supported to thrive and be the best version of themselves.

“I also believe there is always room for improvement and that we should never stop learning. So a culture that encourages constructive criticism and genuinely value feedback from others is extremely important."

Natasha says that one of the most rewarding aspects of managing a care home is supporting and encouraging staff to reach their full potential.

“I want to create a strong, positive staff team where everyone feels valued, supported and motivated to deliver the highest standard of care possible.

“I also encourage my team to tell me how I can improve, because I believe good leadership involves listening, learning and growing together.

“I see every opportunity as a chance to learn and develop. I am in competition with no one other than myself, and my goal is always to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

Outside of work, Natasha has a busy family life as mum to her three-year-old son, Harris, and is busy making plans for her wedding to her fiancé, Bradley.

“Family is extremely important to me, and we love spending time together, travelling and making memories.

“We enjoy going on holidays and have been fortunate enough to visit places including Turkey, Tenerife, Egypt, Ibiza, Benidorm and Amsterdam, as well as many other destinations.

“We also have a campervan, which Bradley renovated himself, and we love taking it out at weekends and exploring Scotland. Harris absolutely loves our campervan adventures.”

Natasha adds: “I enjoy learning new things, taking on new challenges and embracing new opportunities. I believe that every experience, whether positive or challenging, provides an opportunity to learn and develop.

“I am incredibly proud of how far I have come, but I also recognise that there is always more to learn, more to achieve and more ways in which I can make a positive difference to the residents, families and team around me.”