Every role in a care home is a vital cog in the big machine that ensures residents receive the best care and support possible. At our Support Office, we wanted to gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to work on the front lines of care. That’s why we launched our “Day in a Care Home” initiative last year —an opportunity for office-based team members to step into various roles within our care homes for a day. From Maintenance Operatives to Senior Carers, each participant experienced the challenges, teamwork, and rewards of care home life. Here is a selection of their reflections on this unique and insightful experience.
Emma Butterick, Senior Receptionist, worked as Maintenance Operative at Ashlyns Care Home
“I want to say thank you so much for once again giving us at the Support Office the opportunity to have first-hand experience in one of our homes.
What a great team Diane [Home Manager] has. All the team members I met came across as caring, dedicated, hardworking, and loyal. Diane’s team worked together so well; they all came across as a happy, dedicated team, so kudos to Diane for that.
I spent the day with the Maintenance Operative – Mark. Crikey, how does he fit it all in one day! It was non-stop! From filling holes and repainting to going into Berkhamsted to collect prescriptions. We did all the fire door alarms, helped get one lounge ready for visitors, moved mattresses, and all sorts of other bits and bobs.
The time spent with Mark helped me understand that every role within the home is a vital cog in the big machine. It was such hard work! I looked at my phone that evening, and I had done 17,000 steps! My back and knees were killing me, although that is probably due to my advancing years! I always joke that the maintenance role is my dream job – not anymore! I’m far too soft to be able to carry out that role.
All in all, I had an amazing day, so thank you to Diane, Dyan, Linda, and especially Mark, for making me feel so welcome and part of the team.”
Brendan Hughes, Systems Director, worked with the housekeeping team at Tara’s Retreat Care Home
“It was a really good day. All I would say is that the Home, and in particular the housekeeping team led by Bobbi that I was working with, all made me feel very welcome. Over the course of the day, I spent time on every floor assisting (I hope!) each of the cleaners on duty with their various tasks. For my trouble, I was rewarded with a lovely lunch of samosas by Junara – all in all a very worthwhile experience.”
Stephanie Ellis, Sales Ledger, worked as a Senior Carer at Lakeside Care Home
“I did my day in a care home yesterday. I went in as a Senior Carer.
What an amazing experience – thank you, Lakeside, especially Mel and everyone I met. I was made to feel very welcome. My shift was 8–2, and I had to be there for 7:50 am for handover. After handover, we did medication, which took quite a while. Mel knew exactly how the residents like to take their medication and how to approach them if they didn’t want to take it. At 11:00, we went for a meeting with the other Senior Carers and Deputy Manager Liz to talk about all residents and any concerns. By this time, back on the floor, it was time to give lunchtime medication. We did this, then I helped give lunch out, which looked and smelt amazing, then cleared away.
I couldn’t believe how quickly the time went. One minute I was starting, then the next, the lunch trolley had arrived, and it was nearly time to finish. I met and spoke to a number of residents; it was so nice to put a face to the names I deal with at the Support Office.”
Colleen Wood, Director of Organisational Culture, worked at St Laura’s Care Home as Carer, Domestic and Administrator
“Prior to my visit to St Lauras, I had received a schedule from Eme, the Home Manager, detailing what roles I would be adopting and who I would be working with, with additional instructions to wear the colour red. This instruction was also sent to all staff that day, in order to cheer up a resident who had been feeling sad and who had previously mentioned that she liked it when the staff wore red clothing or accessories.
I arrived and was given a very thorough fire walk around by Paul, the Maintenance Operative. Then Eme took me up to the Rose Community on the first floor, where I met carer Mirabela, who was supporting with breakfasts and helping the residents wash and change. There started my morning of making tea, changing bed linen, supporting residents to eat, chatting to residents, and serving biscuits. The time passed incredibly quickly, and the girls worked hard to ensure all their tasks were completed whilst taking care to work at each resident’s pace and including an element of fun in all they were doing.
After lunch, I met domestic Anna-May, and we cleaned bedrooms, lounges, and corridors. Her attention to detail and sense of pride were impressive. I tried to keep up to her standards. Chatting to Anna-May and learning about her interests outside of work was enjoyable, and before I knew it, it was time for me to go and sit with Mandy in the Administrator’s office, where I spent the last hour of the day inputting TMS data into a spreadsheet and observing families and staff come through reception.
There was a lovely festive atmosphere at St Lauras. I witnessed genuine warmth and affection on several occasions between staff, residents, and relatives. There was a very memorable exchange between a relative and a member of staff towards the end of the day where both people were in stitches of laughter and appeared to have the type of comfortable relationship that develops over time. I was very surprised to learn that this relative was of a resident who had not yet moved into the home! I think this is testament to the culture of the home, that even prior to admission, time is taken to make families feel welcome and cared for.
I’d like to thank Eme and her wonderful team for a most enjoyable day.”
Sophie Wade, Credit Controller, worked as Engagement Lead at Chesham Bois Manor
“After training with Amber and Nicky on the merits of Deferred Payment Agreements and Letters of Undertaking, I was let loose on my first activity of the day… Engagement – Bingo caller.
I have never had so much fun; the residents enjoyed the bingo along with the treats that they all seemed to win. In between, we served biscuits and tea. It was a joy; some of the residents are quite characters and also very funny and kind.
We asked them what they would prefer for lunch, pork chops or meatballs. The overall winner? Pork chops.
After a quick lunch, I met some of the other residents, a beautiful headmistress who loved dancing, a bank manageress, and an extremely talented lady who taught herself to knit hats for babies and adults going through treatment in hospital. We shared stories about holidays and family.
The photo of the cake was for a 64th wedding anniversary, made by the husband who had never baked before. He said it was his second attempt, so not sure how it would taste. The two gentlemen in the picture were her two sons. I have never seen love like it – a wonderful family.”
The “Day in a Care Home” collaboration has provided a window into the incredible dedication and effort of our care home teams, for the second year in a row. Each participant walked away with a deeper appreciation for the staff, the residents, and the relationships that make our homes so special. These experiences remind us of the importance of teamwork, compassion, and respect in creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
Thank you to all the homes and teams who made this initiative such a success. We look forward to seeing what next year’s “Day in a Care Home” will bring!