The strong bond I create with residents is very important to the success of my job, but it also makes them feel comfortable in the home. It’s vital for them to feel at ease talking to staff about any issues that occur and spending time with our residents means that I can gauge their mental wellbeing. No two days are the same, there’s always something different, you are always learning something different about a resident.

The strong bond I create with residents is very important to the success of my job, but it also makes them feel comfortable in the home. It’s vital for them to feel at ease talking to staff about any issues that occur and spending time with our residents means that I can gauge their mental wellbeing. No two days are the same, there’s always something different, you are always learning something different about a resident.

For me, it’s being able to put a smile on a resident’s face as they have all become like family to me and I love to see them happy. It is not just me talking to them, they seem generally interested in my life, asking me about my childhood, we enjoy long conversations about things like that. They are always keen to know what shifts I am working and it’s such a nice feeling knowing that I am making a difference to their lives. Often respite patients don’t want to leave us once their recovery time is over, which must mean we must be doing something right!

For me, it’s being able to put a smile on a resident’s face as they have all become like family to me and I love to see them happy. It is not just me talking to them, they seem generally interested in my life, asking me about my childhood, we enjoy long conversations about things like that. They are always keen to know what shifts I am working and it’s such a nice feeling knowing that I am making a difference to their lives. Often respite patients don’t want to leave us once their recovery time is over, which must mean we must be doing something right!

As Head Cook, my responsibilities include monitoring food stocks, organising staff rotas, and putting together the weekly menu, which is based on resident choices. It’s obviously a very hands role, preparing the food for the day ahead and ensuring that all necessary dietary requirements are met. We serve three full meals and snacks throughout the day, whenever the residents want something, so we are on-call at any time. Breakfast can go on all day, depending on when our residents wake up, so we always need to be ready and able to cater for their needs.

As Head Cook, my responsibilities include monitoring food stocks, organising staff rotas, and putting together the weekly menu, which is based on resident choices. It’s obviously a very hands role, preparing the food for the day ahead and ensuring that all necessary dietary requirements are met. We serve three full meals and snacks throughout the day, whenever the residents want something, so we are on-call at any time. Breakfast can go on all day, depending on when our residents wake up, so we always need to be ready and able to cater for their needs.