Recently we have said goodbye to Eleanor, a dedicated caregiver, who has worked with us at Hazelwood for nearly 20 years! We want to say a big thank you Eleanor and reflect on her remarkable journey with Hazelwood Homecare. Come with us as we delve into how it all started, the challenges she faced, the bonds she formed, and the evolving landscape of care work.
Starting a New Chapter
Eleanor began her journey with Hazelwood Homecare in her mid-50s, stepping into the realm of care work for the first time. Her daughter had previously worked for the company for five years, paving the way for Eleanor to follow suit. The initial transition from a factory job to care work was a significant change, but one that Eleanor embraced wholeheartedly.
One of the aspects about being a carer that stood out in a positive light to Eleanor was the flexibility it offered to her as a person. As a walker who couldn’t drive, she enjoyed having the ability to set her own pace and schedule. The absence of constant supervision allowed her to work on an individualized timeline, contributing to her job satisfaction. When we chatted about what it was like to be a carer who did the walking routes Eleanor said.
“You see I don’t drive so I’ve always had public transport. So I think it’s just what you adapt yourself to.”
Undeterred by the weather or mode of transport, Eleanor was always there for her clients bringing a smile to their faces and making us at Hazelwood proud.
One of the highlights within Eleanor’s role was the job diversity, and the way it enabled her to encounter a wide array of clients with unique needs and preferences. Care work, she emphasized, goes beyond serving tea and sandwiches—it involves so much more. Understanding individuals, adapting to their requirements, and constantly learning through hands-on experiences.
“You get different clients with different outlooks on things and if you have a good chat you get to know them. You become more than a carer, you become a friend, sometimes an advisor, a listening ear and a carer all rolled into one!”
For Eleanor, the heart of the job was in building those connections with people. Such a huge part of what care is all about is the variety of clients and the ability to share laughs and stories with everyone that you meet along the way.
There can be challenging aspects within the job and as a walker there were some specific to that alone. Walking through the challenges of winter as a non-driver, Eleanor remained undeterred. Her adaptability, coupled with the support of public transport, made each season manageable. Over the years there was also a noticeable evolution in care work, especially with the incorporation of technology like mobile apps replacing traditional paperwork.
With these changes came the necessity for support to make sure that everybody is informed and up to date on procedures. Eleanor reflected on what it was like navigating these professional changes with Hazelwood:
“You could always speak to management about any kind of problem and they help to sort it out for you. I always felt very supported.”
There are so many moments that have happened whilst working for Hazelwood over the years and singling out a favourite memory or aspect of the job can be a near impossible task! Eleanor shared the same sentiment telling us that it would be too hard to pick because of how different everything is. One of her main enjoyments however came from the people and the connections she made.
“You get different clients with different outlooks on things and if you have a good chat you get to know them. People are so interesting. You most certainly have some laughs as well you know!”
Growing with the Job
Throughout her time working in care, Eleanor has witnessed the evolution of care work. From handwritten notes to digital documentation, the industry transformed. Despite the changes, her advice for newcomers remains consistent: take it one step at a time, seek support when needed, and relish the job satisfaction that comes from making a difference in someone’s life. When asked whether Eleanor had any advice for anyone who is just beginning their career in care or were thinking of starting she said:
“Just take it as it comes and if there’s any problems management’s are always at the other end of the line, you can always speak to them about any kind of problems. It’s a very fulfilling job and I’d do it all again if I could. If anything I wish I had started sooner!”
The Next Chapter
While letting go and learning to switch off can be difficult, Eleanor looks forward to spending more time with her family moving forward. The job, she notes, has been fulfilling, and after all of the incredible hard work that she has done over the past nearly 20 years it is well deserved. Everyone at Hazelwood would like to say a massive Thank You Eleanor for all that you have done and all of the people you have helped along the way, both clients and staff. You have been a credit to us here at Hazelwood and we wish you nothing but the best as you move on!
