Carer always happy to go the extra mile

Hilda Broadbent

AN exceptional carer has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award for her dedication.

Hilda Broadbent (67) of Royton has been a carer for nine years after spending 20 years managing a shoe shop. She was nominated by Valerie Chadwick, whose mother has dementia and lives at Royley House, Royton.

Valerie praised Hilda’s commitment to her role and said she was always prepared to go the extra mile.

“I have known Hilda for five years. She’s exceptional and stands out from the rest. She loves the residents in her care home as though they were her own mother or father.

“She cares for them in every way imaginable, much beyond the call of duty. Hilda often works 12-hour shifts and is always on call to cover absent staff. It’s true to say, dementia or no dementia, the individual residents know when she’s not there and miss her very much.

Hilda, who doesn’t enjoy the limelight, was shocked to to be nominated: “It’s marvellous. I don’t like publicity but it’s really nice to be nominated,” she said.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all — Valerie knows I don’t like anything like that. When the shop closed I started working as a cleaner before the manager asked me to get involved with care - and it’s the best thing I ever did.”

email: robbiegill@oldham-chronicle.co.uk