Parklands People: A world of experience

Parklands employs more than 850 people, including a growing number from overseas. At Weston View care home in Keith, international staff bring valuable experience to the team — including the dedicated group of carers featured in this issue of Parklands People.

As care assistants, they support residents with a range of daily tasks such as personal care, mobility, mealtimes, and emotional support — always with a focus on dignity, safety, and person-centred care.

We asked them what brought them to Scotland, what inspired them to join Parklands, and how they’ve adapted to life in a new country.


Salote Rua
Salote Rua came to Scotland from Fiji in 2009 to join her husband, who was serving with 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The couple moved to Keith in 2014.

“Working in Scotland is totally different from where I came from, but I adapted quickly,” she says. “I love Scotland, and I love working here at Weston View.” There have been a few challenges along the way. “I still find the accent hard to understand,” she says, laughing. “But I’ll get there!”

Salote also values the diversity within her workplace. “It’s good to see people from different backgrounds working together, especially in a small town like Keith.”


Sudeshika Thewarapperuma
Sudeshika came to Scotland from Sri Lanka to study for a master’s degree in hospitality management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. With a background in psychology and eight years’ experience in airline ground handling with Qatar Airways, she was no stranger to working with people - or to travel.

“Moving to Doha gave me a chance to explore the world,” she says. “Studying abroad gave me another opportunity to do that. Serving people and caring for them has always been part of my job.”

While working part-time in a restaurant, she met a customer who told her about Weston View and inspired her to consider working in care. “So, in December, on a snowy day, I came all the way from Aberdeen to see the care home and met Shona, who was the manager at that time. I still remember how friendly and easy to approach she was.”

Since joining Parklands, she’s found the work fulfilling. “Working with residents brings memories of my grandparents. The bond we build with them makes me feel very sad when they pass away. But this job has taught me to see things in a new way and to enjoy life when we can. Our family is really glad that we made this move.”


Isara Lelwala Liyange
Originally from Sri Lanka, Isara came to the UK to study for a BSc. After finishing his degree, he moved to Buckie and joined Parklands as a care assistant — his first job in Scotland.

“When the opportunity to work in Scotland came up, I saw it as a great chance to grow both personally and professionally,” he says.

Isara was drawn to Parklands because of its “reputation for quality care and support.” While adapting to life in a new country was a challenge, “the weather, culture, and routines were all new,” colleagues have been supportive. “The team has been very welcoming, which helped me settle in quickly. People are friendly and life here is peaceful.”

Isara finds working in care very fulfilling. “Making a positive difference in residents’ lives is the most rewarding part,” he says.


Alelu Brown Okoko
Alelu, from Nigeria, has worked across a range of industries, including care. His move to Scotland was inspired by a friend’s description of the country’s beauty and warmth. After spotting a Parklands job advert online, he applied — and never looked back.

“What really motivated me to join Parklands is its values — working together, professionalism, respect, and trust. Who wouldn’t want to work for a multi-award-winning care company where generations of the same family work side by side?”

He adds: “What I enjoy most about my job is the little smiles I put on the faces of residents by providing dignified, compassionate care in a person-centred way.” 

Alelu says he’s ‘99%” sure that moving to Scotland was the best decision he’s ever made. “Moving to a new country can be scary. The weather, language and culture are very different, but I’m adapting well.”


Hithaishi Gunathilaka
Originally from Sri Lanka, Hithaishi holds a bachelor’s degree and previously worked as a Development Officer in a government department. She later moved to Scotland to complete a master’s degree and, under the post-study visa, began working in various roles before joining Parklands.

Her interest in care was shaped by early volunteering. “I volunteered in a care home in Sri Lanka and it gave me a real insight into the importance of compassionate care,” she says.

“The systems here are more structured, and there’s a strong focus on professionalism and individual rights,” she adds. “It was daunting at first, but people have been welcoming and supportive.” 

“What I love most is the opportunity to make a difference. Even a small gesture can brighten someone’s day. It’s deeply fulfilling to support others with dignity and kindness.”


Karen Chikanda
Karen grew up in Zimbabwe and, from an early age, felt drawn to helping others. “In Zimbabwe, I worked in roles that helped me develop my caregiving and patient support skills,” she explains. “But I wanted to broaden my horizons and gain experience in a different healthcare system.” That desire for growth brought her to Scotland.

Since arriving, Karen has completed the necessary training and settled into her role with Parklands. “People here have been helpful, especially my manager and colleagues, who made it a priority to help settle me in. I’m still amazed at how easy it has been.”

She loves to interact with residents. “The little things really matter, just saying good morning, or seeing someone smile because they remember you — those small moments mean a lot in care.”

Looking back, she has no regrets about making the move. “At first, it was scary — a new country, new job, new way of life. But I have no regrets. It’s been a journey of adaptation, learning and personal growth, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received along the way.”


Denura Ariyasinghe
Denura was a gold medallist at the Sri Lankan all-island school games and represented the national pole vault team for eight years. He later joined the Sri Lankan Army athletics team before moving to Scotland in 2022 when his wife was accepted for a master’s programme.

“After moving to the UK, I was working as a commis chef in Aberdeen, then I got an opportunity to work for Hilton TECA and was promoted to chef de partie,” he says. When his wife joined Parklands, the couple relocated to Keith, and Denura soon joined Weston View care home — initially in catering, before taking on a role as a carer.

“Language was my biggest challenge at first, but after a few months I was able to communicate comfortably and made lots of new friends in my workplace.” He values the support he’s received. “Parklands has been flexible so we can have some family time together. I’ve been here for more than a year and management has been really supportive and flexible.”


Manasa Thangallapally
Originally from India, Manasa has a degree in science, a master’s in physical education, and a PG diploma in yoga and health. She’s a gold medallist in yachting and sailing and previously served as a Petty Officer in India’s Naval Cadet Corps while working as a sports and yoga instructor.

Later, she moved to the UK to study for a master’s in sports performance analysis at the University of Portsmouth. During her studies, she began working part-time as a carer.

“With my background in sports and yoga, I started thinking more about vulnerable people — their strengths and abilities,” she says. “I wanted to make a difference.” After learning about Parklands, she moved to Scotland and joined Weston View as a night carer.

“The day I started my job and to this day, I’ve felt every single day is as beautiful as I wanted it to be,” she says. “The team and management are so kind and helpful.”

Even when she struggles with language or Scottish slang, she says, “they never hesitate to explain it again in a way I can understand.”

Although she is far from family, Manasa has never felt homesick. “I have got very good friends and kind people around me and at work. I would definitely say I have made the best move.”


Diversity that makes a difference
What unites these colleagues is their care for others and pride in what they do. Their experiences bring new perspectives to the workplace — and their presence is a reminder that care has no borders. Moving to a new country can be daunting. But in each story, what stands out is the warmth of the welcome and the strength of the support.

At Weston View and across Parklands, the team’s varied cultural and professional backgrounds bring strength to the organisation and make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

If you’re inspired to work in care, visit our website for the latest career opportunities – parklandsgroup.com/careers

Pictured: Back row (left to right): Alelu, Karen, Salote. Front row (left to right): Denura, Sudeshika, Manasa, Hithaishi, Isara.