Willing staff so at home with caring

CARE-HOME staff who went the extra mile for an Oldham resident’s late mother have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Carol Donkersley (61) praised carers at Stoneleigh House, Copper Street, Springhead, particularly Julie Taylor.

Carol’s mother Dorothy was on kidney dialysis three times a week before she died in March — only a week before her 87th birthday.

Carol, who still visits the carers every week, said: “The staff are just fab.

“My mum wasn’t eating properly and the staff really looked after her.

“She was very astute for her age, she said to me, what you see when you come in here is what happens when you’re not here.

“They’re always happy and go the extra mile. If mum needed some birthday cards, instead of asking me, she’d ask them.

“She used to say that Julie was wonderful. They all came to the funeral, but two of them drew the short straws to stay behind at the care home.

“Nothing was too much trouble for them. We were able to have mum for longer because of their care.”

Senior carer Julie Taylor (49) was shocked to hear that she had been nominated.

She said: “Sometimes the work of the carers can go unrecognised, but it is rewarding enough to go home at the end of the day knowing you have made a difference to a resident’s life.

“I remember Dorothy very fondly. She was like a grandma to everybody and such a happy person.”

Care-home manager Diane Riley (35) also spoke highly of Carol’s mother.

She said: “Dorothy was one of the loveliest, most beautiful people you could ever meet in your life.

“She had a heart of gold. Everyone she met, she took under her wing. She was an amazing person.”