Former senior carer moves in to home

A FORMER senior carer has moved into a West Dunbartonshire care home after 17 years of devoted service to Scottish social care – where she now receives the person-centred care she gave to residents.

Balquhidder House, a family-run care home in West Dunbartonshire and part of the Handsale Care Group, has welcomed former carer Marelle Busby into the home after serving almost two decades in the sector.

Marelle, 75, spent 17 years working just around the corner from Balquhidder House, operating as a senior carer at a nearby care home before retiring in 2006.

Coming full circle following a decorated 60-year career in the sector, she has decided it’s time to reside in Balquhidder House, where her husband was once a resident.

Marelle said: “I would drive past Balquhidder House on my way to work and I always thought how wonderful it looked from the outside.

with those living and working in the home, taking time to chat with them over light refreshments.

Home manager Mihaela Laza said: “It was lovely to meet Alice and to see how interested she is in the social care sector.

“We were very proud to show her the home and talk about the work we do and what it takes to deliver truly person-centred care and create a safe, happy and lively community.”

“I’ve only ever heard great things about Balquhidder House, so it was always somewhere I imagined myself residing when I made the decision to move into a full-time care setting.”

Staff at Balquhidder have already been touched by Marelle’s positive and infectious outlook on life, with many describing the former carer as ‘bubbly’ and ‘vibrant’ – making her a popular character amongst her new fellow residents.

Rishi Sodha, care director at

Handsale, added: “We are all extremely happy that Marelle chose to reside in Balquhidder House.

“All the time and effort that Marelle has put into caring for people in the past is truly inspiring and we feel we owe her huge amounts of appreciation for her efforts.

“We are all so happy that we can return the favour to Marelle after all of her selfless devotion to the care sector over the past 17 years. Her dedication to caring for others has been truly admirable and serves as a shining example for others to strive towards.”