Zoe Webster will have been part of the Priors Mead team for 27 years this year. Who better then to comment on the qualities of a great carer?

While at school Zoe had worked part-time in a care home, she went on to work in hairdressing and then as a sales representative for a watch company before her sister-in-law suggested she joined the care team at Priors Mead in 1991.

Zoe said, “I just love working at Priors Mead, I love that it is a small care home, friendly with a family feel. I am passionate about seeing our residents happy and it’s extremely rewarding. I pop out of bed each day with the same enthusiasm that I did all those years ago when I started here, knowing that I am making a difference. I love what I do and I know a lot people don’t feel that way about their jobs; I’m lucky.”

“I think it’s important to have a naturally caring nature and to have patience, it is a vocation, it’s difficult to explain I simply can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

Teamwork and good communication is essential in a care environment and this leads to lasting friendships. Zoe has been working the same rosters with Nikki Old for the past 10 years and they are affectionately known as ‘the twins’. Nikki has been with Priors Mead for 14 years and she says, “I joined Priors Mead having worked in three other care homes. I knew the moment I walked in the door that I belonged here and I’ve been able to have a lot of flexibility over my hours which has been great as it fitted with my family commitments as my son was growing up.”

“No two days are the same and we are always looking for new things to do to help our residents enjoy life to the full. Last week we accompanied 16 of our residents and had a lovely lunch at a local restaurant, it was a really wonderful occasion and they’re still talking about it.”