I started at Framland in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. The pandemic really affected my mental health and I had been suffering with depression, struggling to leave the house. My little girl picked up on this and was saying things like, “We’re not going out today.” That’s when I knew something had to change.

I’m an out-going person and felt a job would be good for me. My daughter was starting school and I needed something for myself. I spoke to Beth, who was then the manager at Framland, and she was so kind, waiting until I’d sorted out breakfast club arrangements for my daughter so that I could make the 8am start time. I felt really supported.

When I’m here, it’s like I’m with another family. It’s not just those I work with who I’m close to but also those who live here, who we call ‘family members’. I had a really close bond with my grandparents and I treat those who live here as I would have wanted my grandparents to be treated.

My grandmother on my dad’s side, my nan, worked at a care home for many years. I’d sometimes go in with her for the breakfast shift so I was introduced to the care home environment at a young age.

Before coming to Framland, I’d never actually worked in a care home. I had quite a few jobs in pubs, including as a waitress, a kitchen assistant and a cleaner. One job I had was at The Trout at Tadpole Bridge on the Thames. David Walliams stopped by when he was doing his swim and I served him plain pasta with a bit of cheese – that’s all he was allowed to have!

Nicole, the The Way We Care (TWWC) Lead at Framland, has helped me understand how to relate to those living with dementia. I’ve become familiar with the different stages, and learnt things like how to approach someone. Simple things like approaching someone from in front or touching their knee gently to let them know you’re there can make a lot of difference.

I’m always learning and Nicole is always happy to chat. I bring round the teas, coffees and biscuits at 10am and there is one family member who sits in her chair and doesn’t talk. I never like to ignore anyone but I wasn’t sure how to interact with her. Nicole encouraged me to talk to her, as she can definitely hear me, and to gently hold her hand. She told me to look at her eyes to help me work out if it’s a ‘no’ or a ‘yes’. If she’s not interested, she’ll close her eyes.

At mealtimes, we give everyone a choice as far as possible. At breakfast we have a book of visual choices to support those who have difficulty communicating. At lunchtime, we make show plates so they can see and smell and even taste it before they decide what to have. I always make sure this happens.

My little girl loves coming into the home. Her name is Skyla and she’s nearly eight. She’s very much a people person and knows to introduce herself to all the family members. Last year, she and I had a stall at the Framland summer fête – Skyla sold decorated rocks! She also had fun going in the paddling pool with one of the family members.

I’m a very neat and tidy person. You could say I have OCD. I always make sure everything in kitchen is spick and span. People say they’re terrified to put anything down on my nice clean hatch – I’ll be there straightaway with the cloth!

I think my very high standards of cleanliness come from my upbringing. I have a Traveller background. My mum was one of 10 children and the family lived in a caravan until she was 16. In the Traveller culture, girls are expected to do housework. When I was a little girl, I was always cleaning with my mum. I left school when I was in year 8 because as a girl I wasn’t allowed to go anymore.

Later, I went back to study maths and English. I realised that times are changing and an education is important if you want to work. Where traditionally Traveller women wouldn’t go out and earn money, I like that I have a job to go to and find it very fulfilling. I’m adamant that my daughter will do all her schooling and have options open to her.