Sandra English may be 77 but she shows no sign of slowing down – just ask all the organisations she volunteers for!
Luckily for us, we are one of these organisations and when it comes to Manor Croft, it’s certainly a real family affair for Sandra.
That’s because her mum lives at the home and her daughter Shelley and granddaughter Ella both work here as Carers.
Prior to her mum moving to Manor Croft, Sandra worked as a volunteer for over 20 years at a sheltered housing scheme her mum lived in. She volunteered whilst also working full-time at a carpet factory where she stayed for 51 years before retiring aged 66.
She also volunteered at a local bakery, getting up at 2am in the morning to start work at 3am and then working until 10am
Sandra was already aware of Manor Croft given Shelley works here so when it came to choosing a home for her mum, she says it wasn’t a difficult decision.
“Mum initially came in for some respite and just a few days after coming home she asked if she could go back.
“I remember when we first came, they were celebrating St Patrick’s Day and even though mum can’t see very well, she started doing some colouring in and there was music playing and lots of singing and dancing and I could see it suited her to the ground.
“She likes to be around people and never stops. She gets up in the morning and doesn’t go back to her room until bedtime so she’s very settled.”
Sandra has become a fixture in the home whether that’s visiting her mum or helping our Wellbeing Coordinator Mandy.
“I am here to help Mandy with whatever she needs, whether that’s serving coffees at our coffee mornings, setting up activities or assisting residents with whatever they need,” says Sandra.
“I really enjoy it, plus I get to be with my family at the same time, not that I see much of Shelley and Ella!!
