Pride in care
July is Good Care Month, a time to recognise the dedicated staff who contribute to the lives of others. At Abbeyfield Living Society's Bradbury House, one such person is Sally, their cook. Sally does more than just prepare meals; she cares for the residents, and her efforts support their daily lives.
Sally's approach to good care
For Sally, good care at Abbeyfield is defined by her own approach, saying, "I ensure I provide a safe home where residents receive care fitting to their individual needs."
Sally contributes to this every day through the effort she puts into her cooking. She explains, "'I cook them nice, hearty, healthy, well-balanced, nutritious, traditional meals that they like, including comforting dishes such as cottage pie, fish pie, and roast dinners, along with nourishing, freshly made soups and a variety of puddings, old-school things like jam roly-poly and bread and butter pudding.'" Providing familiar, delicious, and wholesome food is a core part of Sally's approach to care.
"I ensure I provide a safe home where residents receive care fitting to their individual needs. What makes me proud is the support we as a team give each other. This allows us to make a small difference to residents' lives. Seeing residents happy, smiling, and feeling safe, that's what makes my work worthwhile."
-Sally, Cook at Bradbury House
Pride and purpose in care work
When asked about the recognition that Good Care Month brings, Sally shared that "we all collectively celebrate our successes with each other in the home." This highlights the team spirit at Bradbury House and the importance of acknowledging everyone's contributions to the residents' wellbeing.
Sally explained what makes her proud to be part of the Abbeyfield team and how she sees its broader impact, saying, "What makes me proud is the support we as a team give each other. This allows us to make a small difference to residents' lives. I feel this shared purpose helps change public perceptions of care work by making people more aware of the impact carers have in the community, highlighting the important role care professionals play in society."
For anyone considering a career in care, Sally shared her perspective that "It's very rewarding and an emotional rollercoaster. You can make a difference every day just by spending time with a resident and talking. Seeing residents happy, smiling, and feeling safe, that's what makes my work worthwhile. And for a great care worker, the key qualities are compassion, patience, understanding, empathy, and a strong desire to help others, as these are essential for connecting with and supporting residents effectively."
Building community and facing challenges
Regarding how community is built at Bradbury House and the challenges she faces, Sally explained that "We develop a sense of community by encouraging staff to join in activities with residents and by striving to make one community. Engaging with the wider local community is very important, as residents can interact with outsiders, which is good for them for stimulation and to help create support for the home. However, the most challenging aspect of my role is communication to some of the residents, so I use a whiteboard or pen and paper to communicate with them."
Sally's insights clearly show the dedication and care that go into providing good care at Bradbury House. Her passion for cooking and her connection with residents demonstrate the spirit of Good Care Month.
Discover a career where you make a difference every day
At Abbeyfield, you'll provide compassionate care in a supportive, community-focused setting, creating safe homes where residents thrive. Join our dedicated team and experience the deep personal rewards of enriching lives, while working alongside colleagues who celebrate success together.
Read More Staff Stories
Good Care Month is all about celebrating our dedicated staff. Read more stories from across Abbeyfield, like Sally's, and discover their experiences in providing excellent care every day.
Good Care Month: Paige’s story
Discover what good care means at Bradbury House with Deputy Manager Paige. Learn about her dedication, passion for residents, and the rewards of a career in care.
Good care at Bradbury House: Edith's story
Meet Edith, Care Home Manager at Bradbury House. She shares insights on good care, resident wellbeing, staff support, and community engagement at Abbeyfield.
A decade of dedication at Bradbury House
Barbara-Anne, a General Assistant at Bradbury House, shares her view on good care and her career of over 10 years.