During Carers Week 2020 we would like to take the opportunity to thank our staff teams. This has been an especially difficult time for staff in every area of the care sector and we want to recognise all staff in our care homes for the amazing work that they do every day.
Most of us will have joined the ‘clap for carers’ to acknowledge and thank our carers but what does it take to work in a care home? We asked some of our long-serving staff members about their career in care and how they’ve found the current COVID-19 crisis.
Carol Blackman joined our Carter House Care Home in Raynes Park back in 1988 as a Carer, with 32 years’ service Carol is one of the longest-serving employees in our care home group. For Carol it’s all about the team she works with and of course the residents she cares for;
“I love my job,” says Carol “It’s as simple as that, I love caring for people. The residents really touch your heart and keep you coming to work every day”.
Staff at Carter House told us how Carol goes out of her way to welcome new residents to the home and ensures they get to know other people. If they are having a bad day, she’ll spend time chatting with them and help them to feel better. Full of fun and always ready to have a laugh, she is also empathetic and very hard working. We asked Carol what it’s like working during the current crisis;
“It’s a bit different at the moment, but we are just focussing on keeping the residents happy and safe. Country Court has really looked after their staff during this situation, the food hamper we received with a very nice touch and a lovely surprise. We have plenty of PPE here, so we feel safe ourselves” said Carol.
Christine Wall has been a nurse at Abbey Grange Care & Nursing Home in Sheffield for 23 years. Christine started as a Carer whilst studying for a back to work nursing course. She’s seen lots of changes over the years she’s been at Abbey Grange but feels very comfortable and thinks of Abbey Grange as like a second home for her now. Christine was promoted to Unit Manager leading the care and nursing teams at the home, before being promoted again to Deputy Manager in 2019. She now works closely with Home Manager Kerry Peach to care for up to 74 elderly residents with a wide range of care and nursing needs.
“I love working for Country Court,” said Christine “There have been lots of changes over the years but caring for people hasn’t changed especially now in this coronavirus situation, we still have to follow the same principles and guidance to give them the best quality of life”.
Cathy Trevor has worked at our Eccleshare Court Care & Nursing Home in Lincoln for nearly 26 years, having completed her Nursing training at Grantham General District Hospital in 1994 she went on to join Eccleshare Court as a Registered General Nurse (RGN). Nursing in a care home is not the obvious choice for all newly qualified nurses but Cathy has always had an avid interest in helping older people after doing an Open University Course about elderly nursing during her training.
She is now Clinical Lead at Eccleshare Court focusing on ensuring that good person-centred care is given to each resident that she and her team care for.
“The people I work with, our residents and their families, are what’s kept me at Eccleshare Court. I believe that whatever illness or condition people are living with, they can still lead a full and active life, according to their capabilities and wishes. I enjoy working closely with family members and friends to help this happen.”
Area Manager Kyra Travis joined Belmont House Nursing Home as a Care Assistant sixteen years ago whilst training as a Nurse. Her career at Country Court has seen her promoted to Deputy Manager then after two years to Home Manager. She then decided to share the best practice and skills she learnt in these roles with other care homes, becoming an Operations Support Manager then Area Manager in 2019.
“Being a family business makes Country Court a really special place to work,” says Kyra “The support network available at Country Court makes a huge difference to the daily lives of staff especially during the current crisis. I’m proud of how the staff teams in all our homes have pulled together, knowing there are always people they can turn to if they’ve had a difficult day is great for staff morale and kept us all going. We are a close-knit group here”.
Whether you’re just starting out in your care career or are one of our long-serving staff, your commitment, dedication and hard work is hugely appreciated and makes a difference to people’s lives every day – thank you!
To find out more about working for Country Court click here: https://www.countrycourtcare.co/careers/
