Charity’s Health Care Assistants at Perrins House Reach Their Joint Golden Anniversary
At Friends of the Elderly’s Malvern-based Davenham, Perrins House and Bradbury Court, the residential, nursing and dementia care homes which are collectively known as Friends of the Elderly Malvern, run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, two Health Care Assistants – Anita Kendrick and Sue Stocker – have been celebrating and reminiscing about their working careers at Perrins House.
Anita and Sue have both worked for Friends of the Elderly at Perrins House for 25 years. “Sue and I have worked together and at the Charity for many years,” said Anita. “If you add our years of service together, we’re celebrating our Golden Anniversary this year, which is quite an achievement.”
Anita has worked in the Care Sector for 37 years, after being part of the Youth Training Scheme, a former UK Government program which provided vocational training for young people. “I’d always wanted to work in care as it has always been important to me to support others to help them live a more fulfilled life. It’s such a worthwhile and rewarding role,” added Anita.
“I wanted to be a Nurse when I was at school, but became a Hairdresser instead,” continued Sue. “Years later, I took a job working in healthcare, as I still had an inbuilt desire to help and look after others.”
Although they did not know each other at the time, Sue and Anita both attended The Chase High School in Malvern. “I really enjoyed Science,” said Anita. “I liked practical subjects but hated sport lessons. I joined in the Staff Sports Day recently, which was great fun, but luckily with my sporting prowess, I don’t mind coming last.”
As Health Care Assistants, both Sue and Anita play an important role in the daily lives of the residents, providing support, encouragement and high quality, bespoke care.
“Both Anita and Sue are totally devoted to the residents,” said Jo Bennett, the General Manager at Friends of the Elderly Malvern. “Their duties encompass a wide range of tasks including assisting with personal care and daily living activities to observing and monitoring the residents’ health. They are both wonderful listeners and are always on hand to spend time with the residents, chatting, reminiscing and, when needed, providing emotional support.”
“The best thing about what I do every day is caring for the residents,” continued Sue. “Making the sure the residents are happy and comfortable is everything. I love coming to work, and being with the residents is like having a wonderful, caring and extended family. No two days are the same, but each day is so fulfilling as I know, no matter how small, I have made a positive impact on the residents’ days.”
“There is always something to do, and like Sue said, every day is different,” added Anita. “Over the years, I have grown and nurtured great bonds with the residents and making sure that all their individual needs are met, every day, gives me a wonderful sense of purpose.
“We do have a lot of laughs and there are plenty of funny stories too. A while ago, I was playing a word game with the residents, and the question was ‘What H can you put in your handbag?’ and one resident shouted out ‘Your Husband’. It had everyone in fits of giggles; the residents can be so hilarious and cheeky.
“Once a resident asked me to pass him a glass of juice, which of course I did. He then thought it would be a rib-tickling joke to pour the glass of juice over my colleague’s head whilst she was doing up her shoe, which he did. It was a naughty prank, but everyone laughed, even my juice covered colleague.” …3
“The other day, the residents asked me a really interesting question,” continued Sue. “If I was the Eight Dwarf, what would my name be. It stumped me for a bit, but as Happy is already taken, I think I’d have to be Smiley, as I hope I make the residents smile and keep them happy, healthy and motivated.”
“The residents asked me which three people – apart from my family – would I invite round to mine for dinner,” added Anita. “That was easy – first, Claudia Winkleman as I think she’d be so funny and easy to talk to. Second would be Mary Berry as I’d hope she’d help me with the cooking and last, but by no means least in third place would be Jason Statham – as if all else fails, he’s so handsome to look at, and would have lots of Hollywood stories to tell. My choices got the thumbs up from the residents as well.”
The residents, their care and well-being are at the heart of Anita and Sue’s day – every da. “If Anita and I are ever asked why we do what we do? It’s our three, simple little words reply – Because We Care,” concluded Sue.
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