Love of care sees Littlehampton staff clock up 100 years of loyal service

Carol says she still looks forward to going to work every morning.

“I really enjoy what I do,” she said. “I did hairdressing and shop work before I started in care about 30 years ago. I came here as a care assistant and I’ve done so many roles, even assistant manager. I’m approaching retirement now, but I love just being with the residents and knowing I’m doing something for them.”

Kitchen Assistant, Julie Lambert, has 17 years’ service while Oakland Grange’s Deputy Manager, Maria Combes, and Lead Practitioner, Julie Dunstall, progressed their careers at the home together, both starting as night care assistants almost ten years ago.

“I was working with children with special educational needs before I came into the care industry,” said Maria. “It gave me the opportunity to work nights so I could be at home during the day when my children were young. I’d planned on it being a stop gap and I thought I’d go back into childcare, but I fell in love with it!”

Unlike Maria, Julie was an experienced care assistant when she joined Oakland Grange, and although she’s nearing retirement she says she won’t be stopping anytime soon.

“I love what I do,” she says. “I can’t imagine doing anything else or doing it anywhere else. I come to work and I’m happy, Oakland Grange is my second home. There is good support, I can even turn to the CEO, and it’s a great place to work.”