Carers Simon Boston and Kendra Lyne, along with all our hard-working team, have been going the extra mile for service users in a bid to make a big difference to their lives during the most severe pandemic to affect this country in living memory.
Simon, based at our Heacham office, said while the coronavirus pandemic had brought new challenges for carers and care service users, it was little things that have helped the people he cares for.
“It’s important because they don’t feel so isolated, they rely on us more than ever to keep them connected with the outside world,” he said. “Little things like posting letters have become impossible for them, so I’ve taken it upon myself to do things like that, and there was one lady who I used to take shopping regularly. We can’t do that now, so I’ve become her personal shopper!”
After years working in a variety of roles, including retail, hospitality, insurance and sales, Simon, who lives in Heacham, believes the unique circumstances of the pandemic made him realise the full importance of the work he, and all our careers, undertake with us, and what it means to him.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had, I love it and I always look forward to going to work,” he said. “I joined Extra Hands around two years ago, having had no previous professional caring background, but I’d always been the sort of person friends and family would turn to in a difficult situation, so I felt I would be able to do the job, and there was nothing about it that scared me.
“It’s come with some personal sacrifice but it’s something I’ve been willing to do, to provide the care I give. It’s taught me patience and humility and highlighted how important the work that we do is. We really do have the users’ lives in our hands.”
It is not just Simon who has developed a more full understanding of the work he does – so has the wider public, through the weekly Clap for Carers, something he said that he really appreciated.
“On the first night it happened, I had a new carer shadowing me on duty, and the people in the street we were in delayed coming out to clap until we arrived, because they knew what we were doing,” he said. “That made me feel great.”
“Not only does it teach you time management, as you know how long it will take you do your rounds, but also you get to know the users’ families and neighbours too, so it builds up a real sense of community,” he explained. “If you’re working in an area you don’t know, there’s a sense of detachment, but with Extra Hands being so local, it gives the service an extra layer. It helps us to provide a professional service in a personal way.”
Meanwhile in Aylsham, Kendra looks after 96-year-old Ivy Hook, known as Dolly, who she helped celebrate her 96th birthday in style.
Kendra, who joined us seven months ago, arranged for Dolly’s neighbours to sing happy birthday from their front gardens and cheer her on the special day. She also bought Dolly some new plants.
“Dolly’s an amazing character, she’s 96 and still gets herself sorted every morning, gets breakfast ready and is really independent, so it was really special to be able to do it for her, and also for her friends and neighbours too, to know that they’d brightened up her day so much and played a part. Afterwards she said it was the best birthday she’d ever had.”
Dolly’s daughter Dorothy was full of praise for the way Kendra helped celebrate her mother’s special day, and the service we provide.
“Extra Hands have been brilliant, if it wasn’t for the carers, mum wouldn’t be able to stay home,” she said.
Kendra added: “Years ago I did 10 years working mainly in care homes before going into office jobs, which I never really liked, so I thought I’d go back and give it a go – I should have done it years earlier,” she explained.
“In care homes, you can’t have anything like as much impact on people’s lives as you do in this role, and can’t make such a difference. I love helping make people happy, and in this job with Extra Hands, you get to do little things that do just that.”
Like most websites we use cookies to give you the best experience, by using this website you agree to their use. For more information please read our privacy policy.