Hazel Hunt is now a Care Assistant, but started work at Fosters in 1996 as a Relief Worker. She became a permanent member of staff in 2000.
Hazel works all shift patterns as part of her rota; mornings, afternoons and nights.
Here, Hazel tells us about a typical day in her role.
"The morning shifts begin at 7.30am. We start the day with a handover from the night staff who feed back any relevant information. We will then go onto our Unit, and as the people who live here wake up, we support them
to get ready for their day ahead.
This includes providing breakfast, organising any appointments, and generally just having a catch up.
After breakfast, some people choose to get involved with social activities or maybe just relax in front of the television, listen to music, have a reflective chat over a cup of tea, or do whatever they fancy. Social activities include such things as Bingo, keep fit or going on trips out in the community (we have a boat trip on the River Thames planned for next week).
At lunch time, food is prepared freshly on-site by Pauline our cook in our kitchen. When lunch is finished, it is usually time for the afternoon shift to begin (at 2pm). Again, a handover is carried out by the staff on the morning's events.
Activities and any support required continue during the afternoons. People who live here often have visits from their families and friends, especially from around 3.30pm onwards when they finish work, although people do
visit throughout the day and are always welcome!
We will prepare an evening dinner late in the afternoon, with the people who live here usually choosing to
have a smaller meal than at lunch time. As always, this is freshly prepared on site.
After dinner, our residents tend to relax into the evening. They may have a bath, and just generally wind down
for the evening.
At 9.30pm the night shift begins. A handover is carried out once again.
The night staff will catch up with who may still be sitting in the lounges, and also check on those people who
are now in their rooms. During this time we will check that everyone is settled and ask whether they want a
drink for the night, or any other support.
The night time role can be different to the day shifts, as it is much quieter. I find it more of a reassuring role; letting people know that if they need anything we are here for them. Some of the people who live here are often up during the night, and when that happens we will sit and chat with them -just as we would on a day shift.
There are also a number of ‘housekeeping’ tasks that are carried out at night. Some people are very early
risers and if required I will help prepare them for their day.
The key to my role is supporting people whatever shift I am on. Then before you know it, it’s 7.30am and the Morning shift starts all over again.
I always try and imagine how I would feel living here and visualise the support I would want?
The best part of the job is getting a “thank you” or a smile from somebody I have supported or spent time with. It’s also nice to be welcomed back when you have been away and goes to show the closeness you build up with the people who live here."
