Meet Michelle: Bringing Joy and Activities to St Mary’s Chanterlands

Hey there! I’m Michelle, and I’m thrilled to be one of the activity coordinators here at St Mary’s Chanterlands. Let me tell you a bit about myself and how I found my way into this amazing role.

I’m 42 years young, originally from Scunthorpe, but I’ve called Hull home since 2000 when I met my husband Iain. We’ve been happily married for 20 years now, and we’re blessed with three wonderful (and far too grown up!) children, along with a mischievous rabbit named Edith.

Before diving into the care sector, my career journey took me through hairdressing and nail technology. When my kids were little, I ran a little salon from home, which was great, but my heart led me into youth work. For 11 years, I had the privilege of working with young people in Hull and Scunthorpe, which was incredibly rewarding.

I’ve always been close to my extended family, especially my Grandma Iris and her large brood of siblings. They used to joke that I was an old lady at heart, always hanging out with them, soaking in their wisdom and stories. I found comfort in their presence and learned so much from their experiences.

My bond with Grandma Iris was particularly special. She was my biggest cheerleader and best friend. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia after my grandad Des passed away, I became even more devoted to spending time with her. Even when she moved into a care home, I was there every week, doing her hair, painting her nails, and playing games together.

During the pandemic, I missed Grandma Iris terribly and realised how much I missed the company of other residents too. That’s when I started thinking seriously about a career change. With my kids becoming more independent, I took a leap of faith and applied for a job at St Mary’s Chanterlands. To my surprise and delight, they took a chance on me, despite my lack of formal experience in care.

Since then, I’ve worn a few hats here – from healthcare assistant to senior roles, and now as an Activity Coordinator, which is truly my dream job. I get to spend my days with amazing people, listening to their stories, and making each day special with activities and companionship.

For me, life doesn’t stop when someone moves into a care home. Every day should be full of joy and purpose. That’s why I’m here – to enrich the lives of our residents through activities, entertainment, and genuine companionship.

I treat each resident with the same love, respect, and fondness that I showed my grandparents. I feel incredibly lucky to have so many adopted grandparents here, and I cherish every moment spent with them.

I live by two mottos: “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours,” and “Time spent with the elderly is a treasure that cannot be replaced.” These words guide me every day in my work.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit about me and my passion for working with the elderly. It’s a privilege to be part of their lives and to bring a little happiness into each day.