Julie Gray has worked in care since starting on a youth training scheme aged just sixteen.
Thirty-six years later and Julie is still in care and has worked at Longlands for the last five years. This follows stints at another residential setting (specialist dementia) and time working in home care.
Julie says: “When I was 13, I helped to look after someone on my estate who was disabled, so I got an insight into care from an early age and hence why I came into it when I left school.
“We have an important role to play because when people first come into Longlands, it can very daunting as they have often had to leave homes where they have lived all their lives.
“So, it’s our job to help them settle in, make them feel comfortable and ultimately get them to feel that Longlands is their home, or certainly the next best thing.”
Julie says there are a number of reasons why she enjoys working at Longlands.
She adds: “It’s very homely, there’s a nice calm atmosphere and we all work together as a team to ensure the quality of life for the residents is the best it possibly can be.”
Julie, 52, has two sons and one grandson, with whom she enjoys spending time with when she is nit at work.
That’s a different kind of care altogether, but one she is well trained in!!
