Rovena on culture and care at Sandwood

How Albanian family values and quiet everyday moments shape life at Sandwood

At Sandwood Care Home, our team is made up of incredible people from all walks of life, each bringing their own unique experiences, values and story to our care home. Today, we sit down with Rovena to chat about her journey from Albania to the UK, making the leap from agency shifts to a permanent role, and the everyday moments that make working in care so rewarding.

Bringing home to work

Moving from Albania to the UK was a major transition for Rovena, but the values she grew up with travelled right alongside her.

"In Albania, family is at the centre of everything," Rovena shares. "Older people are treated with great respect, and making sure they feel loved and included is central to our culture. Those values stayed with me and naturally shape the way I care for our residents."

Sharing her background with residents has become a wonderful way to spark connection. Whether showing curious residents where Albania is on the map or chatting about customs during special occasions, food and traditions often lead to lovely discussions. Rovena hopes to introduce the residents to a few traditional Albanian treats soon, like byrek (a savoury pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or meat) and kabuni (a sweet rice pudding dish).

Learning from each other

Care work is a two-way street. While team members support residents' daily needs, the wisdom and warmth shared in return are often what make the job so special.

"Residents give us back so much," says Rovena. "They have taught me the importance of appreciating the small things in life, how to be patient, and how to stay resilient. Simply seeing smiles on their faces makes my day."

Of course, learning goes both ways, including local British slang.
"They love teaching me daily phrases," Rovena laughs. "Things like 'Come on, love', 'Cheers', and 'Ta-ta', which was completely new to me!"