After leaving school long-serving Longlands staff member Sharon Walker worked in a number of jobs including bar work and cleaning as she raised a family of four boys.
Family is at the heart of her life and when her grandmother and then her mother grew old and needed help she cared for them.
It was that experience that led Sharon to believe she could work in a care setting and she joined Longlands, combining caring with domestic work.
Now, 17 years on, she still works at Longlands and that dedication has been recognised with Sharon being named employee of the month.
“I was told when I arrived for work and it was a real surprise – though a lovely one,” said Sharon. “Longlands is such a nice place to work, the residents and staff are lovely people.”
After many years as a domestic at Longlands, Sharon joined the kitchen crew. When a double knee replacement meant she could no longer manage the shifts required as a cook, Longlands was determined to keep her and so she now does 16 hours a week in the laundry.
Now 63, Sharon believes working in a care home is different to other settings.
“You need to respect the residents as you would your own family and keep an eye out for them,” she said. “Some have no visitors and so the daily chat you have with them as you’re doing your job is very important.”
Recently Sharon came across a resident who had fallen.
“It’s important not to panic in such situations,” she said. “Raise the alarm and then stay with the resident, talking to them, keeping them calm until help arrives. We are all one big family, if I see someone is upset I’ll have a chat, see if I can help and if I can’t, I’ll call the person who can.”
Outside of work Sharon has five grandchildren to keep her busy and the family are planning a big holiday together in Turkey this October to celebrate a double birthday.
Sharon also enjoys going on cruises around the Med and France with her husband. “It’s so relaxing, and nice just to sit back, enjoy the view and have someone else do all the work,” she said.
