'So rewarding': Hardworking carers celebrate 20 years of service

Cochrane Care Home opened on the site of a former garden centre in Johnstone 20 years ago and has since been home to hundreds of residents.

While many things in the home have changed over the years, four hard-working employees - Liz, Sandra, Linda and Grace - have remained a constant presence throughout.

One of those employees, Liz Wright, is a former medical company worker who says she came on board because she was “fed up of working with machines,” and wanted to work with people.

“I can’t believe it’s been 20 years,” Liz said. “Time has gone by so quickly.

“I remember shortly after I first started, someone asked me how I was settling in. ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it,’ was my answer. ‘Rubbish,’ they said, ‘you’ll be here for years!’ And I suppose they were right.”

Liz, left, with fellow carer Sandra, who has also been at Cochrane since the start (Image: Newsquest staff)

Liz, now 70, says that caring can be an extremely tough job at times.

“It can be very hard,” she said. “Very difficult, very physical, very mentally challenging. I’ve attended hundreds of funerals over the years. You’ve got to be indestructible at times.

“You do get attached to people, and you become upset when they pass. But you have to remember that there’s another 15 people relying on you. And you’ve got to be strong for the families as well.

“I’m not saying you become hardened to it though. Every single resident that I’ve ever cared for, I’ve got a wee memory of that person.

“Overall, it’s so rewarding. You know you’re helping people.”

The four long-serving carers received a £100 gift voucher in recognition of their achievement (Image: Newsquest staff)

Liz says that supporting family members can be as important as looking after the residents themselves.

“It can be a hard thing for families,” she said. “It’s very difficult to place your mum or your dad in a care home. It leaves a terrible guilt, a sense of abandonment. But we take that on and support the family as much as the person living here.

“You’ve got to create a bond with the family. They’ve got to feel that they can trust you. And over time, you build up a bond with them.

“They become more than just a relative visiting - it’s an extended family.”

Thank you cards from families of relatives (Image: Newsquest staff)

Liz says that caring is not for everyone, and recommends that people “put a great deal of thought into it” before joining the profession.

“A lot of people get mis-sold on the idea,” she said, “thinking they’re coming in just to sit and have afternoon tea and cake.

“You need to be compassionate, thoughtful, respectful, empathetic. You need to put yourself in these people’s positions. How would you feel? You need to treat people the same way you’d want to be treated yourself.

“It takes a big heart. You need to genuinely care for people, and want to help, and do your best.”

Liz with her hard-earned voucher (Image: Newsquest staff)

As someone who encounters it on a regular basis, Liz says that death is not something that needs to be avoided.

“There’s no point shying away from it,” she said. “You’ve got to talk about it. It’s happening to us all anyway.

“If I could have as peaceful a passing as i've seen people have in here, I’d be more than happy with that - surrounded by family, and staff that know me and sincerely care for me.”