All the training in the world can’t prepare you for a global pandemic so can you imagine what it must have been like working in residential care throughout the various waves of the pandemic, especially those first difficult and extremely challenging months?
It’s testament to all the staff at Longlands that they did this without complaint and with their only focus being to help the residents in our care.
At the head of this, and certainly leading from the front, was Tina Kendall, the manager at Longlands.
We’re lucky to have had someone of Tina’s experience as manager because whilst it was impossible to have been able to prepare for Covid-19, we couldn’t have asked for a better person to be in charge at that time.
Tina has worked in care since she was 18, having decided that a job working in a factory wasn’t giving her enough satisfaction.
After the home she had been working at closed, she came to Longlands in 2009 and quickly made m impression, becoming our Deputy Manager just 12 months later.
She was promoted to the position of Manager in 2019, less than a year before the start of the pandemic.
Tina, 36, says: “No experience could have prepared us for the pandemic, and I don’t think a day went by where I didn’t cry at work; I think we all did.
“But despite everything which was happening, we had to remain focused on the residents and whilst it is always heart-breaking when we lose someone, it was even harder to take during this time and it’s something that will stay with me, and all the staff at Longlands, forever.
“What got us through was having an amazing staff team and the support of the residents and their families. We will never forget what happened, but hopefully the worst is now behind us.”
Tina thinks the fact that so many members of staff, herself included, have worked there for such long periods of time is the one of the reasons why Longlands is the home it is.
She adds: “When I first came here, I liked the fact it was a smaller home as you really get to know the residents and staff closely and that creates the friendly environment we have at Longlands.
“Caring is not an easy job but it’s so rewarding and one of the greatest thrills I get is when we get someone coming here on respite who is not well, and we help them recover to the point where they can return home and get their lives back on track.
“At times, it doesn’t even feel like work!”
Tina, who is married with three children, enjoys spending time with her family when she’s not at work, although she’s already training the next generation of Kendall’s, as the oldest daughter works at Longlands as a receptionist at the weekends, earning money whilst she is studying at college.
Definitely a chip off the old block!
