Liz Jones, Care Assistant, Ashridge Court Care Centre
Ashridge Court Care Centre’s Care Assistant Liz Jones has reached the final of the Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards in the Rising Star category.
Liz has worked at the Bexhill-based nursing home since 2020, deeply impressing her manager, colleagues and residents as someone with a true passion for care. But what many people don’t know is that she spent the previous 25 years in a very different industry – retail!
After leaving school with no fixed career ideas, Liz worked as a cashier in a local supermarket. She later moved to a new flagship Sainsbury’s store in South London, where she spent 23 years rising through the ranks to become overall manager in charge of 560 colleagues, six deputies and 12 departmental managers. The store was biggest in the region, turning over £2.2 million per week (£3 million at Christmas) while Liz and her colleagues worked hard to achieve 18 tough key performance indicators.
By 2009 this was all about to change. Liz’s husband’s multiple sclerosis had progressed to the point where he needed full-time care. Although his needs were complex, Liz was determined to look after him herself and so, armed with some knowledge and plenty of determination, she approached CQC for help.
Thanks to their support, Liz was trained by urology, colorectal, respiratory and physiotherapy specialists, plus the IV access team, on such techniques as deep suction, postural drainage, peg feeds, catheters and IV antibiotics. She then cared for her husband single-handedly for seven years, until the last six months of his life when the couple received nursing care support.
After he died Liz took a year out. “When you care for someone, you lose yourself completely. For so long I was his voice, his arms and legs, so everything I stood for had gone,” she says.
Liz knew that she didn’t want to go back into retail and so found work as a carer at nearby Ashridge. “I love it here and wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” she says. “Everyone cares and the manager’s door is always open.”
She adds: “It feels good to make a difference to someone’s life that they couldn’t do without me. I love their life stories, too. Residents have led fascinating lives and deserve huge respect.”
Liz agrees that caring requires particular qualities. “Anyone can sell fruit and veg but not everyone can do what we do. You must be kind and compassionate, putting that person first. Above all, you should really love what you do. Care is never just a job.”
Not one to let the grass grow under her feet, Liz is working towards becoming a Senior Carer/Medicine Technician and then intends to train as an Assistant Practitioner. She is also the home’s Safe People Handling lead. This responsible role involves managing moving and handling equipment, carrying out risk assessments, confirming that residents have the right equipment and ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation. She is also near to completing the moving and handling train the trainer qualification.
“Liz is a great advocate for residents and so clear about what she needs for them,” says Home Manager Julie Wills. “She has high standards and brings whole team up to meet these. She also keeps a cool head, even when others start panicking. Basically, Liz cares for everyone – residents and staff alike. She has such a strong vocation.”
“Liz is popular with residents and an incredible support to colleagues, especially junior staff. She really does go above and beyond in everything she does, and is a valued member of the home,” adds Clinical Manager Janice Gauld.
