Long before working at Hatherleigh Nursing Home, Phoebe explains how she discovered, from a young age, the impact small acts of kindness could have on someone’s day.
Image: Phoebe with a resident at Hatherleigh Nursing Home
‘I became a carer eight years ago, but my family have had their own residential care home in Plymouth since I was a baby,’ Phoebe says. ‘I started going there with my dad on weekends and during the school holidays, and from the age of 10 I’d help by making cups of tea and tidying bedrooms.
‘I fell in love with the job. Seeing someone smile just because I’d handed them a cup of tea and a biscuit showed me how much the little things can mean.’
Phoebe is now House Lead at Hatherleigh Nursing Home in Devon, but claims she wouldn’t be where she is today without those early experiences. ‘Being a carer is everything to me,’ she says, describing the role as more than delivering care. ‘It’s about being there when family and friends can’t visit and helping people feel comfortable and safe.’
The positivity from Phoebe about the love for her job has come at a difficult time for the sector.
Amid a care sector buckling under pressure, Phoebe’s devotion to her work feels like a rare source of optimism. According to the latest figures, vacancies in adult social care are now three times higher than in the wider economy, with the number of posts filled by British workers falling by more than 40,000 in the past year alone and by 130,000 since 2020/21.
‘Some days can be very emotional,’ Phoebe says while discussing the realities of her job. ‘But I really appreciate the people I work with and the support I’ve been given. Caring has been part of my life since I was a child, and I still love it just as much today.’
When asked about her proudest achievement, she explains ‘I don’t think I can pick just one, but if I had to choose, it would be a gentleman we cared for who was receiving end-of-life care. Throughout the time we supported him and when he sadly passed away, his wide came in, gave me a hug and simply said, “thank you”.’
Phoebe adds: ‘Another moment that has always stayed with me was supporting a lady who was living in an altered reality, and in her reality she believed she had a horse living in her wardrobe. Before supporting her, I would feed the ‘horse’ and, when I left the room, I’d stroke it and say goodbye. It brought such a smile to her face.
‘She was also hesitant to accept personal care as she was frightened of water, but by doing this she began to trust me and allowed me to support her. Over time, other members of the team started doing the same.’
Speaking of team members, Phoebe says her colleagues have been incredible.
‘I’ve always worked as a carer, but since joining Hatherleigh Nursing Home I’ve become a House Lead,’ She says. ‘The Leadership Team have supported me throughout, and Induction Lead Clare made me believe that I could do it, and that I was good at what I do. She gave me the confidence to believe I’d make a good House Lead.’
Image: Hatherleigh Nursing Home
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