From the frontline: Carers Week
Published 10th June 2020
This #CarersWeek we are highlighting the amazing work of our Carers, who are on the frontline of the battle against Coronavirus. Please click on their name below to read their full story.
Lily
Lily normally supports the residents of a Care Plus retirement living community in South Staffordshire. During the coronavirus crisis she has been working from home and helping to cover for colleagues in other schemes, some of whom are themselves shielding.
“I’ve got two young children aged four and nine. My husband is working at home too, so we share the home-schooling.
I’m making at least 60 calls a week, checking-in on people. If someone is particularly vulnerable, I’ll call them each day. In a funny way, I’ve got to know some people better.
I think people have been more willing to open up. Often, if you ask someone how they are, they take it almost as a rhetorical question. Now, they’ll tell me how they really feel. We’re picking up on things that might not always show, like when a resident tells us that they’re lonely.
I’ve been going out each week to complete essential safety checks in my scheme and the others that I’m covering. I do all the normal checks, things like the fire alarm, fire extinguishers and hazards but now I’m checking the hand sanitiser too.
I’ve got PPE - masks and gloves. I’m cautious because I want to keep my family safe.
When I’m there, people naturally want to come and talk to me. I have to ask them to step back and that’s difficult. We’re providing a safe, socially distanced service that protects us and our vulnerable residents but we are trying to keep it as warm and caring as possible.”
Rebecca
“I’ve always loved performing. I was supposed to be in a production of Legally Blonde at the moment, but none of us are living the lives we had in our calendars.
I’ve been working from home during the pandemic. I’m a single mum with two young children and I’m trying to keep things as normal as possible for them.
Care Plus encouraged me to work flexibly, so I get my calls done and then I concentrate on paperwork when the children are in bed.
Everyone at work has been great. My manager is really supportive and the whole team has pulled together. We talk a lot and you can tell when someone is having a bad day. We’ll all try and help. In a funny way, social distancing has brought us even closer.
To keep customers safe and protect ourselves, we have been working differently during the pandemic but while we aren’t face-to-face, we are still keeping in close contact. I have been calling around 50 people, twice a week.
It’s important to check-in, have a chat and make sure that nobody feels that they’re going through this on their own. At first, we were busy helping everyone get food and medical supplies. We had volunteers to shop for people who couldn’t get supermarket deliveries.
People have been really happy to hear from us. We’re giving support where that is needed and talking to families, too. They have been staying away to keep their relatives safe but sometimes, it helps to talk.
It’s hard when you can’t be with your loved ones. I haven’t seen my boyfriend for ten weeks and I had a lockdown birthday without my twin brother. I understand how our residents and their families feel and I’m so pleased we’ve been able to support them through such a difficult time.”
Michelle E
Michelle is a care and support supervisor with Care Plus.
“The kind of work that we do as a carer means that it’s often not possible to follow social distancing guidelines and we’re working with a vulnerable group of people. Naturally, these have been anxious times for our customers and for us, so reassurance has been as important as PPE.
We started a WhatsApp group, where we could talk through any worries and share jokes to make us smile. The support of colleagues and managers kept us going and that conversation really helped. All the carers knew that they could pick up the phone at any time.
We wear a mask, a visor, gloves and an apron, although PPE isn’t the most comfortable way to dress. We take lots of other precautions too – disinfecting surfaces, wiping door handles and washing our hands all the time. Of course, we use a lot of hand sanitiser, too. At first, we found it difficult to get hold of as much as we needed because everyone was stocking-up.
We change out of our uniforms and shower as soon as we get home. If we are working in our retirement living communities, we can do that before we leave if we prefer.
It’s been hard for all of us. I miss holding my little grandson. I’ve only been able to see him through a window; we put our hands up to the glass.
What has impressed me most though, has been the way that everyone pulled together. Some of our colleagues have been shielding and there was no hesitation from anyone, we were all happy to cover their calls so that customers got the care and support they needed.
The pandemic has changed the way that the public think about carers. I think people understand now, that it’s not just having a cup of tea and a chat. It’s hard work, mentally and physically. There is a lot of respect for what we have been doing and recognition that we are providing lifeline services for people who often live alone.
A colleague went into a corner shop for a loaf of bread and the shopkeeper applauded as she walked in. Another found all her neighbours lined up, clapping, when she set off for work.
I know that my family is proud of me and I’m proud that we stepped-up in a crisis. This is our generation’s battle and we’ve been on the frontline.”