I have been working at Ashton Manor since 2022. It was my first job out of school, and I felt immediately welcomed by everyone in the team from my very first day. 
 
Growing up around family members who work in healthcare and my experiences caring for my own family inspired me to consider a career in care. I supported my great-grandmother, who lived with diabetes and other health conditions, and later helped to care for my great-grandfather when he became unwell and showed symptoms of dementia. These experiences were challenging emotionally, but taught me the importance of patience, empathy and dignity. It meant a lot to me knowing I could help the people I care about when they were going through difficult times.
 
I started working as a Care Companion at Ashton Manor in August 2022, as I wanted to use what I have learned caring for my own family members to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Working with people living with dementia, and sometimes depression, showed me that care is about more than physical health, it is also about emotional and social wellbeing. 
 
Working in care has really built my confidence, as well as allowing me to develop my communication skills, patience, and understanding of individual needs. Most importantly, it has reinforced for me that caring for others is something I genuinely enjoy and want to continue doing. It is also helping me gain valuable experience as I work towards my long-term goal of becoming a nurse.
 
I have now progressed into the role of Activities Organiser at Ashton Manor, where I plan and organise activities for our residents that encourage them to get involved, give them the chance to socialise, and help them to enjoy their daily lives. When planning activities, I take into consideration the individual interests of our residents, as well as choosing and adapting activities so they are suitable for a range of abilities. 
 
During group activities, I support residents to get involved and encourage those who may be feeling less confident. It’s really important to me that everyone feels included and comfortable. I work closely with other staff members to understand the needs of individual residents and make sure activities are safe, appropriate, and beneficial to their wellbeing. Behind the scenes, my role involves preparing materials and organising the activity area ahead of the planned activities; it’s all about creating a positive and enjoyable environment for everyone. 
 

Working in care has really built my confidence, as well as allowing me to develop my communication skills, patience, and understanding of individual needs.

 
 My favourite part of my job is interacting with the residents and getting to know them as individuals. Outside of our organised activities, I spend time talking to the residents one-on-one, providing companionship and emotional support where needed. I enjoy spending time with them, making them feel included and supported, and most importantly, seeing them smile and enjoy themselves. It is very rewarding to know that something I have done, even something small, has helped make their day a little better.
 
 One of my favourite memories is from my first week at the home. I was very soft-spoken and quiet, and one of the residents said to me, “Darling, you’ll have to be loud because I’m deaf!” It made me laugh, but it also helped me realise that I needed to be more confident and consider how I communicate. The residents were so kind when I was starting out in my role, some of them would assist me when I was carrying out activities and would encourage me along the way. Having their support and encouragement helped me come out of my shell and become more confident in my role. It is something that I will always remember because the residents were not only people I cared for, but they also helped me grow.
 
I enjoy working with the rest of the team at Ashton Manor because everyone is supportive and willing to help each other. I like being part of a team where we communicate well, share ideas, and work together to provide the best care and experience for the residents. I also enjoy learning from my colleagues and being able to support them when needed. 
 
What I appreciate most about working here is the amount of support and encouragement I get from management and my colleagues. At Ashton Manor, we are all valued and are given the opportunity to develop and progress. You are not expected to remain at the level you start at, and there are lots of opportunities to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities. I have had the chance to take part in different training courses which have been very informative. 
 
Ashton Manor is a great place to work and a very positive working environment. As a team we work well together and all want to make a difference to the residents in our care.  I like knowing that there is room for growth within my role and beyond, and I have the support and encouragement of everyone at the home to progress in my career.