In her 20 years at Queens Lodge, Michelle Lord has helped hundreds of clients face numerous challenges, including lockdown, and she’s sure of one thing – laughter is the best medicine.
“This is not just a job, the residents have to trust you and for that to happen you have to treat them as if they were part of your own family,” said Michelle.
Michelle used to work as a cleaner on a children’s ward at Blackburn Infirmary. After time out following the birth of her third child she heard about a vacancy at Queens Lodge.
The three children are now grown up and she also has four grandkids and Michelle, 54, remains at Queens Lodge as a nursing assistant.
She helps make sure the residents are washed and dressed, assists with feeding where necessary and generally aims to raise the spirits.
When the sun finally arrived this summer It was Michelle who kitted out the residents with suncream and hats, and took them into the garden for an impromptu singalong.
“It was wonderful,” she said “We had the Elvis CD on and everyone was laughing and smiling and singing along.
“We have all had a tough time, staff, relatives and residents and have had to work as a team to keep everyone safe and get through it. I do believe laughter is the best medicine and hopefully better times lie ahead for us all.”
