We were more than happy to raise our glasses to Emma McGee on completion of 20 years’ service with us recently.
And to say ‘cheers’ for all her hard work over the years, we presented her with an engraved pint glass.
Emma started at our sister home Roseleigh before moving across to Longlands, and we’re glad she did!
The 45-year-old says: “I have been in care since I was a teenager and have always found it very rewarding.
“Looking after people gives me so much pleasure and you know you are doing an important job helping others.”
Emma says she has enjoyed her time at Longlands.
She adds: “The best compliment I can give is that I would be very comfortable having my own parents living here if they needed residential care.
“The staff are all very genuine, we socialise together and there’s a real sense of family among ourselves and the residents.”
Emma admits working throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and lock-down has not been easy.
She says: “One of the hardest things is having to wear face-masks. We know they are important but older people, especially those with dementia, like to see your facial expression, so it was difficult first.
“But they are designed to keep everyone safe and that’s the main thing.
“There was never a doubt in mind about not coming to work through this, if anything the job became even more important because with families not being able to visit, it meant we were the only people they saw.”
When she’s not at work, Emma, who has two grown up children, likes to show her creative side by doing adult colouring in books.
