Staff Spotlight – Yve

When I joined Nannies 4 Grannies in January 2017, I had come from a large Japanese Corporate company which I had been at for 30 years.

I had worked in an NHS environment before this, with British Nursing Association, so was aware of all aspects of care and I had enjoyed it.

I had also cared for parents and then a very poorly aunt, so I knew what to expect, or I thought I did.

It all seemed very easy at N4G.. a little light housework /companionship, shopping, taking to the hospital or doctor’s appointment and even coffee at local garden centres, with no personal care.

How far from the facts could that last statement be - ‘no personal care’. This has transpired to be the most rewarding and wonderful experience of my working life. It is ‘personal care’ at the highest and most personal level.

I joined when life was normal and there was no masks and distancing, so when one of your lovely clients was in need of comfort or a hand holding moment, you could oblige with no rule breaking.

Just before Christmas 2018 one lovely couple that I had supported from joining N4G had to go into a home, they were dedicated to each other, Mr B suffered from Parkinson’s and Mrs B had dementia and later was diagnosed with lung cancer, they stayed at home for as long as possible with our support. I had attended all Mrs B’s hospital appointments with her right to the terminal diagnosis, she was very important to me as she was to Mr B who was immobile and could not come.

The morning Mrs B left us, I was with her to hold her hand, it was an honour and a great comfort to Mr B that I was with her when he couldn’t be.

This was just one example of the relationships I have built with clients and their families; it has been a real honour to share a part of their lives and be with them toward the end offering the ultimate in ‘personal care’.

Covid was a special time for me when we suddenly became the only family some of our wonderful ladies and gents had, working 7 days a week keeping them safe, cooking meals, being their only contact with the outside world. I felt very scared the first morning stepping out and being the only car on the road for most of the journey and those first trips to the shops getting 3 different people’s groceries was very strange.

It was so rewarding and made you feel proud at the end of it all when the families said, ‘we do not know how we would have got through this without Nannies 4 Grannies.’

I have never worked with such a caring group of people; it is hard to believe it is a business.

No one group of people could be more vocational and loving. I’m really proud to call myself a Nannies 4 Grannies member of Staff.