James Somers is 26 but he admits to being stuck in the 1960s when it comes to his musical tastes.
Our administrator at Roseleigh, he is a keen musician playing the piano and singing, which has come in very handy as we have not been able to admit entertainers in from the outside due to Covid-19 restrictions.
So, as well as his day-to-day administrative duties, James has also been entertaining our residents, which has certainly brought a smile to everyone’s faces.
Playing in front of an audience in a care home is not something new to James though.
He explains: “I sang at the home my great-grandmother was at, as well as other homes in the area so when I joined Roseleigh whilst it wasn’t in my job description, I was only too happy to perform for the residents.
“The music they like suits me down to the ground because it’s my favourite music too. I always say I was born 50 years too late because I much prefer The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and other singers from their era.
“I am also a natural born show off when it comes to music so that definitely helps as well!”
James joined us in November 2020 after previously working in administrative roles for Middlesbrough Borough Council.
His admin role includes handling admissions and discharges, raising invoices and even running our residents’ tuck shop and administering Covid-19 tests for visitors.
He adds: “I always go above and beyond in anything I do and working here at Roseleigh is no different.
“It’s a great place in which to work. The staff and residents are lovely, and it just has an overall nice atmosphere.”
When he’s not working, apart from practising his music, James loves to read and be a ‘dad’ to his pet cat.
