"I wanted to be a part of this" - Tracy reflects on leading with purpose and pride at Lifeways

With more than four years as a Regional Director for Lifeways’ Supported Living division, Tracy Dixon has made a significant impact, not only on the lives of the people we support, but also on the team members she leads across R02.  

Driven by a strong sense of purpose and pride in both her colleagues and the organisation, Tracy has helped shape a culture where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow. 

Tracy began her career in the NHS as a Trauma and Orthopaedics Manager before moving into a range of social care roles. She has supported individuals with autism, acquired brain injuries and older people, and it was through these experiences that she discovered her passion for working directly with people and helping them achieve positive outcomes. 

A conversation that changed everything  

After progressing to a Regional Director role within an elderly care organisation, Tracy admits she was not actively looking for a new position - until she received a call from Lifeways. 

At the time, Lifeways was recruiting for a Regional Director to oversee R02, a region covering services from the Scottish border down to Nottingham. Although she was initially reluctant to consider a move, she eventually agreed to have a conversation about the opportunity. 

“To be completely honest, I was very happy in the role I was doing at the time when someone from Lifeways got in touch about a Regional Director position. 

“My initial response was that I wasn’t looking for a new job, but the role sounded interesting enough to have a conversation and find out more. 

“I had my first chat with the Chief Operating Officer at the time, and I was sold. The Lifeways ethos really struck a chord with me.” 

As it turned out, the timing worked well, as she was invited to a manager away day in Manchester to get a feel for Lifeways and its direction - an experience that ultimately sealed her decision to join. 

“I stood at the back and watched as they set out the journey for Lifeways. What stood out to me was that people weren’t just being spoken to - they were being asked for their feedback. It wasn’t, ‘this is our journey’, it was, ‘what do you want our journey to be?’ 

“In that moment, I just thought, ‘I want to be a part of this.’” 

Support & appreciation 

Since that away day in Manchester, Tracy proudly shared that Lifeways was the most supportive organisation she’s worked for, not only in involving team members in shaping their journey but for helping them shape their own journeys and how they want to progress in their careers - whether it be through different courses or even seminars. 

“When you see staff that have may have struggled with their confidence when they first joined as a Support Worker go on to work their way up to Team Leaders, Registered Managers or in some cases even Area Managers, it’s so heartwarming. 

“And because Lifeways is a large organisation, there’s always scope for individuals to move over into different teams like IT, Marketing, HR, Finance, you name it - just last week we had a Service Manager who moved over to the Quality Team to be an Auditor. 

Since taking over the role, Tracy has also implemented a theme where she asks Managers to bring a person to their Regional meetings who has gone over and above and without fail she sends a handwritten card from herself, thanking them for their hard work - ensuring they know just how much of a difference they are making to people’s lives and how valued they are by Lifeways because without them, it just wouldn’t work. Tracy believes recognising those contributions helps people take pride in the vital role they play every day. 

“I remember being told that one of our team members had a long day and at the end of it she came home to a card from me - it’s a tiny thing but it means so much to people,” added Tracy. 

Diversity 

Not only has Tracy embraced her role as Regional Director, but she has also taken on the position of Chair of Lifeways’ Diversity Council. Established in 2024, the council was created to ensure all colleagues feel valued, represented and heard, reflecting the diversity of Lifeways’ workforce and promoting an inclusive culture across the organisation. 

“It’s something we need at Lifeways. The council is there for everybody because everybody who works here deserves to feel valued, respected and treated equally. We should all be proud to work in an organisation where people can be themselves and know their voices matter. 

“We want people to have a voice and to know that they are being listened to.” 

Tracy explained that the Diversity Council provides a platform for employees to share their experiences and discuss how Lifeways can better support them throughout their careers. 

“We have a fairly ageing workforce and sometimes when people reach their 50s and beyond, they may decide to leave to look after grandchildren or for other personal reasons. 

“But we need to understand how we can support people to stay with Lifeways if they want to. Is there a way they can continue their career while also caring for their grandchildren? Could flexible hours help? Those are exactly the kinds of conversations we want to have.” 

A career that changes lives 

For Tracy, there could not be a more fulfilling role. Every day brings the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of the people Lifeways supports, while also helping colleagues develop their skills, confidence and careers. It is a role she is proud to do, and one she hopes will inspire others to join a sector where they can make a lasting impact. 

“It’s very challenging, but most challenges are very rewarding,” she added. 

When it comes to recruitment, Tracy believes the most important quality is not a qualification, but a genuine desire to help others. 

“We can teach anybody anything about care, but what I look for is someone who cares. There is so much expertise within Lifeways and, even if you’ve never worked in care before, we can help you become a great carer.” 

If you are looking for a career where you can make a lasting impact and have the opportunity to progress, take a look at the latest opportunities at Lifeways. 

Tracy isn’t just anyone – and this isn’t just any job.