Home Instead (Windsor, Runnymede & West Spelthorne)

Setting up my own business has been part of a truly life-changing period of my life. In 2010 I received the devastating news that I had secondary cancer. Since then life has been a whirlwind of treatment (all successful thank goodness) and making major changes to ensure that I live the life I want to in the future. It may sound strange but the experience I have been through has genuinely changed my life for the better. The people that I have met in the care sector have been amazing and have inspired me to do something worthwhile and meaningful, to dedicate myself to helping others.

I have left behind my job as an executive of a company that took me to America and across Europe for a role which is much more important to me, one where I can use my knowledge and business experience to do what really matters in life, which is ensuring good quality care is available for people when they need it.

My role is to provide leadership and direction to the team to ensure we focus on our values. I spend time developing the team, planning for the future and maintaining our relationships in the Windsor and Chertsey community. If you need good dementia or at-home care for yourself or for a loved one, please contact us to discuss how we can help.

I currently live in Wraysbury (and have done so on and off since 1977) with my 86 year-old mum. I moved back home full time in 2014 after the sudden and unexpected death of my dad – everyone says, “oh, it’s lovely that you look after your mum” but it’s actually the other way round; mum still looks after me – I get a cup of tea at 6.45 am and the offer of porridge if I would like it, plus evening meals and a magic washing basket!

I was a Metropolitan Police Officer for 21 years, followed by 14 years as manager of a Bureau De Change business in Central London and then 6 years as a Security Courier for a Foreign Exchange Wholesaler in Victoria. I am also a qualified Toastmaster (Red Tailcoat) officiating at Weddings, Civic Functions and large events.

So how did I become a CAREGiver? – As a result of the first lockdown in March 2020, all my business opportunities dried up. After spending three months working in the garden and house, I started to look around for a nice part-time job. I saw the advert for Home Instead Windsor and thought, “I can do that!” so I applied. I was successful with my application and joined in June 2020. I absolutely loved meeting my new clients and with the help and encouragement of my fellow CAREGivers and Supervisors, I quickly settled into the role. My part-time job rapidly became full time and I have really enjoyed learning about all aspects of personal care and in particular challenging behaviour and dementia.

Towards the end of November last year, I applied for the role of Area Supervisor, and much to my surprise, I was accepted. I am working hard to learn the necessary skills to support my clients and CAREGivers – being a “Techno-Dinosaur” doesn’t help but you will always see me with a smile on my face.

I am responsible for supporting my wonderful team of Care Professionals to meet the evolving needs of our existing clients' tailored support plans, as well as meeting with new clients and their family members to make sure we are there to reassure them and give peace of mind that we will find a way to meet their needs.

My role is to ensure our lovely clients get the care they need at the time they would like it and all of the communication touch points and administration around it.

I am responsible for overall office organisation. This includes answering all telephone queries, greeting visitors and managing who is where!

I am delighted to have joined the Home Instead team in the role of Finance Assistant. I will be dealing with all client invoicing and Care Pro payroll.

In 2013, I decided I needed a career change. Day in day out my job was always the same, so after careful consideration and discussions with my husband, I left to seek something more rewarding. It didn’t take me long. I saw an advertisement to become a CAREGiver with Home Instead Windsor, applied and never looked back.

My day to day routine is never the same, but every day I smile. Whether it be with my wonderful clients who I visit on a regular basis or one of the girls I work with within the office. I have the best of both worlds.

My clients are special to me and I hope they get as much pleasure with me visiting them, as they give to me. We laugh, we sing, we sometimes cry but every day is rewarding, and I leave with the knowledge that today, I made a difference in someone’s life, albeit a small difference.

Equally, my work in the office making our wonderful CAREGivers compliant is very rewarding. We have mad days and glad days, but we get through them together as a team and we smile.

For me there is no other job, I just wish I had changed careers 30 years ago.