Norfolk carers awarded for ‘going the extra mile’

A FORMER shop worker and a single mum who both switched careers to take up care work in Norfolk have been rewarded for their outstanding performances in their new roles.

The carers, at family-run company Extra Hands, each received the firm’s coveted GEM Award for ‘going the extra mile’ in their work.

Teresa Potter, who works from the company’s Broadland office, also won a GEM Award – and it’s her second in under a year.

The 59-year-old, of North Walsham, was given the award in September last year, just six months after starting work at the provider.

She was nominated this time around by the appreciative family of a service user with dementia.

“Teresa always goes above and beyond each time she visits Grandad,” said the nomination.

“She knows every little thing about his care, even down to the little but important things, such as putting a handkerchief in each pocket when he gets dressed, heating the milk up for his cereal, cutting up hard foods for Grandad.”

It continued: “Many times I have seen Teresa on the cameras playing old songs for Grandad on his Alexa, and they have a good old sing along together. If Grandad ever gets an important call or letter, Teresa will always make sure he rings me to let me know, as she knows he will forget due to his dementia.

“Nothing is ever too much of a problem for her, and my Grandad adores her. We as a family are so grateful for all she does for him.”

Teresa added: “It was quite embarrassing to win twice in one year, and totally unexpected.

“At Extra Hands they all do such a good job that I was embarrassed to have been singled out for a second time, but people are pleased for me and everyone’s been saying it’s well deserved, which is really nice.

Joanna Bryant was thrilled to receive a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla when she celebrated her 100th birthday. Joanna marked the occasion with a tea party at the dementia care home where she lives in St Budeaux, Plymouth. Joanna was born Joanna Cock near Penzance, and was the eldest of five children. She moved to Truro in the late 1950s where she and husband Frank, who were married for 40 years, owned and ran a guest house during the following decade. She later had a variety of part-time jobs including working in a child day care nursery and some charity shops, and belonged to several churchrelated groups as well as being an active member of the U3A. Joanna has two children, Bradley and Michelle, and two grandchildren, Dom and Matt.

“I love the job, and just love seeing people smile when I leave, knowing that I’ve made a difference, they’re happy, and they’ve got everything they need.”

Julie Hughes, who worked for a supermarket before joining the Heacham branch of Extra Hands, was nominated for the accolade by a co-worker whom she had helped to train, and who was full of praise for the 54-year-old.

“Julie has taken her time in explaining everything that I need to know during my induction shadowing shifts,” read the nomination, which also described her as “a kind, caring and calm person, who is always willing to help and to answer questions to her best ability” and concluded “anyone will be lucky to have Julie to train them when they start at Extra Hands”.

Julie added: “It’s an absolute privilege to have won, as it means I’m being appreciated, and that gives you that extra little boost. The person who nominated me wrote some lovely things about me. I was just buzzing and absolutely on a high for a few days.

“I’m passionate about training and ensuring that they know everything they need to know – and there is a lot to know. I always tell them to treat service users like you would treat your Nan and Grandad, and how you’d like them to be treated.

“You’re not ‘only a carer’ – you’ve got to have love in your bones. It’s a very hard job, but it’s very rewarding. I absolutely love it.”

One of the UK’s longest living pairs of twins, and possibly the oldest identical pair, have celebrated their 100th birthdays in style at a Dorset care home. Devoted sisters Nora ‘Joan’ Barter and Margaret Joyce ‘Peggy’ Barter are thought to be among only four sets of twin centenarians in the whole country and are almost certainly the oldest identical twins in the south of England. In matching tiaras, blue dresses and glittering gold sashes proclaiming ‘100 & Fabulous’, they were naturally the joint centre of attention at their birthday party in Colten Care’s Poole home The Aldbury. Guests included Robin Ponting, grandson of the twins’ cousin Doris Ponting whose life was further proof of the family’s longevity. Born in 1898, Doris passed away aged 106 in 2004 having lived in three centuries.

A Northumberland great-grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday at a Morpeth care home surrounded by friends, family and the local community. Edith Main celebrated the special occasion with a birthday party during Riverside House’s summer fair and was presented with a cake and flowers by the town’s Mayor, Councillor Jade Crawford. She said: “I’ve been blessed with a long and fulfilling life, and throughout my journey, I’ve had the joy of sharing it with a loving husband and raising two remarkable daughters. The secret to a long and happy life? I always say that it lies in doing what brings you joy whenever and wherever you can and for me, that source of happiness has always been dancing.”

A care home resident has recently celebrated her 107th birthday. Ruby Bond, who has lived at Wilton House in Shenley since 2019, marked her milestone with a visit from the local Mayor, while a fruit tree was planted in her honour. Ruby had two sisters and two brothers and had various jobs throughout her life. Her nephew Neill, his wife and their children visit her regularly. Ruby has now received birthday cards from both the late Queen Elizabeth and from the new King, Charles II. She celebrated her birthday with her close family, residents and staff in the gardens at the home.