Being a Day Brightener is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a fantastic career to fit around everything else that’s going on in your life. I spoke to Nicola to find out more about her companionship work, how it fits in, and what a difference it makes.
What made you become a Day Brightener?
I’d had an office job for many years, when I had the chance to take voluntary redundancy. This was perfect timing for me, as I chose to spend some time at home with my two young boys. During this time, I also looked after an elderly lady who lived near me. When it was time to return to work, I knew that working with older people was the kind of work I wanted to do. Going back to an office was no longer an option. I wanted to do something that made a real difference, and companionship work was a perfect solution.
Who do you look after?
I work with one lady called Sheila, who lives just 5 minutes away from me. I spend every Thursday and Friday afternoon with her. She has Parkinson’s Disease. Sheila’s husband used to look after her, but when he passed away last year, her daughters became very worried. One of them lives in the South, and the other works part-time, so they needed someone who could look after their mum when they were not able to be there.
What’s a typical day like for you?
With 2 boys, the mornings are hectic! I get breakfast ready and see them off to school. I walk the dog and do what’s needed around the house. I make any appointments for myself in the morning, so that I can fit them in easily. My parents are in their 70s and starting to need a little more help, so I take them for their hospital appointments and run any errands they need in the mornings too.
I visit Sheila at 12 noon, so she always knows when to expect me. As she lives so close, I’m always home by about 4:15, so I’m there for the boys when they get back from school.
What happens when you visit Sheila?
Sheila’s daughter goes to see her every morning to help her get ready and make her breakfast, then she usually goes back to sleep because her illness makes her very tired. When I arrive at 12 noon, she is usually just waking up again. I let myself in, make her some lunch, put a load of washing in and hang it out to dry before I leave.
If she has any appointments, I get her ready and take her along to those. Her daughter does the shopping, but if Sheila fancies something special, I’ll go to get it for her. If she’s feeling well enough, she’ll come with me, and we’ll have a coffee somewhere. If she has a lot of energy, we might go to the garden centre and have a wander around and visit the café there. It was her birthday a couple of weeks ago and I took her out for afternoon tea.
What happens when it’s time to leave?
If Sheila’s daughter is working, I’ll make a meal for her to eat a little later. I get her comfortable in a chair and find her something I know she will enjoy on the TV. I make sure she has everything to hand – the remote control, a drink, the newspaper etc.
She’s always keen to know when I’m coming back, so I reassure her, and when I’m happy that she’s settled, I let myself out.
How do you feel about your work with Sheila?
Sheila is an incredibly independent person. Her daughters said that she didn’t want anyone coming in to help – she just didn’t feel like she needed any support. They had tried a care company previously, but Sheila just couldn’t settle with that service as they couldn’t guarantee that the same person would visit every time.
When I started visiting Sheila, she was still a little reluctant and would try to send me home! Over time, we have got to know each other and now she trusts me, and I see her face light up when I arrive. She has come to rely on me. And most importantly, we have become friends.
The other day she said, “I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t come to see me.”
Sheila has taken a real shine to me, as I have to her! This is the most rewarding job. You get a real sense of helping someone and the satisfaction that you’ve made a measurable difference to someone’s day.
What do Sheila’s daughters think?
I have become friends with Sheila’s daughters too. The three of us have a WhatsApp group and I send updates if there is anything I need to tell them, or if I have any concerns at all.
If they need extra help, like when they are on holiday, they know they can ask me and when I’m able, I’ll visit Sheila more frequently and keep them updated.
It was important for them to get to know me. Their mum is quite vulnerable, and they worry about her. They were delighted when Sheila took a shine to me and they have the peace of mind and reassurance that their mum is being looked after when they’re not there, and importantly, that she is happy.
If you’d like to find out more about how to become a Day Brightener… why not watch my free 1 hour Day Brightener training. You’ll get valuable hints and tips to help and I’ll walk you through my FAB-Senior programme, explaining how it can help to save you time and money when setting up your Companionship Service.
Sarah x
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