My Name is Samantha Joyce ….
I have always been a very caring person and I love to look after people, whether that is making them laugh, smile, cooking for them, singing to them or just being there to show my support, I love taking care of people. I had a very close bond with my grandparents and loved to look after them when they needed it, a trip to the shop, cleaning or even just company and having a nice cup of tea with them and of course singing to them both! My grandfather sadly had a hip replacement and needed the extra care, I helped with house hold duties and personal care. He thrived and was soon back on his feet. My grandma sadly had breast and lung cancer leading to a mastectomy and one of her lungs being removed, shortly after this she also broke her leg, which led to an infection and with no other option but to amputate the bottom half below the knee, she needed a lot more assistance with daily activities, personal care and help around the house. I was grateful to be able to help my grandparents when they needed it most and loved looking after them, they mean the world to me so to be to help them was more a privilege than a burden. Sadly, they are both not with us anymore but they left a really great impact on those around them.
My mum is a health and social care lecturer in higher education, she expressed to me how she thought I would make a great health care assistant as it’s what I had been doing for a few years with my grandparents. Having the reassurance from my mum made me feel positive about applying for something I had never done before. As a profession, as I had always studied performing arts. I was skeptical at first, I thought to myself “it’s not for me” or “I couldn’t do that type of job” but I could not have been more wrong, I filled the application from in and got a job interview and luckily enough I got the job. I love combining my performing arts into my role as a carer. As I got to know each of the service users individually, I came to understand the power of music and how amazing music can be with memory and cognition. My manger asked me if I would like to perform to the service users and bring my equipment in and do a show, I was so happy with this as I was being able to share my skill and passion for music with others.
When I started to sing and service users joined in, it gave me a whole new purpose and also gave me great joy as I could see how much the songs meant to them. In that moment they were no longer dementia patients they are individuals singing along, recalling the lyrics of the songs I sang with pure enjoyment on their faces.
Seeing everyone’s faces light up with smiles, singing and dancing was so wonderful and this has become a part of who I am, not only do I go above and beyond for the service users when I am a health care assistant but I also get to enjoy what I love most with my singing and bringing these two passions together.
Performing in work has had such a positive impact not just with the service users but also with my colleagues, it’s helped with the staff morale and helped improve the health and well being for staff too.The impact I have with my singing helps all my colleagues feel happy and energised, they join in singing along and everyone has a great shift together.
I have received very positive comments about my singing and the enjoyment its gives to everybody, I have even received awards on behalf of my singing to the service users. I have won a Parkhaven Star Award at work and also have been nominated for the Parkhaven Trust Spirit Award as I am always very happy and outgoing and always have a smile on my face and I’m always willing to help where it’s needed throughout out the company.
Every Christmas Day (I have worked here 5 years and done this every year), after my shift I have been happy to visit each unit in the building to give a singing concert for all our lovely service users. This is such a wonderful event and we always have the best group sing along!
(Sam is a Health Care Assistant at The Beeches)
