Whell Care Director Sarah Whellans nominated Holly Nolan for our August Star Carer award saying “Holly is the youngest member of our team and works so hard at providing excellent care to all of our clients going above and beyond. She has experienced some very difficult times over the past year, yet continues to do an amazing job in caring for and keeping our clients spirits high.”
We caught up with Holly and asked her about her work.
What was your reaction to winning CareLineLive’s August Star Carer Award?
I had no clue that I’d been nominated. Totally shocked. I had a bit of a cry.
I put quite a lot of time in with my clients. I don’t like rushing them – I hope I give them a good experience. I have have good relationships with them all.
What aspects of being a carer do you enjoy?
When I go into people’s houses, especially couples, and they tell you about their whole life. I love hearing their stories.
And for people who live alone, sometimes I can be the only person that they see.
When they smile when you go in, that’s really nice.
Sarah, who nominated you, told us that you are the youngest member of the team.
What brought you to work at Whell Care?
I’m 22. My Mam works for Whell Care too. I was in hospitality before I joined but because of the pandemic I kept getting made redundant. She suggested I think about working in care so I shadowed her on some calls and just loved talking to everyone. The elderly are one of the nicest bunch of people. Most of them are canny.
How does CareLineLive’s Carer Companion App help in your job?
I think it helps loads. With being young, CareLineLive being phone based doesn’t faze me at all. I can keep an eye on visit times so I can check that I still have the time available to spend a bit of extra time with a client.
With the notes function I can check the wider conditions that the client might have beyond the day-to-day care I am normally giving.
Even my older colleagues have got the hang of it now. They are always checking in and out and using the other features in the carer’s app.
What are the challenges in your job?
I go to a couple of people who have terminal illnesses, and my partner has cancer, so it’s quite hard given that I’m in the same circumstance as they and their family are in. I’m going through something similar to what they are going through.
How do you switch off after a hard day at work?
I come home, cook tea for me and my partner, take the dog for a walk. Then settle down to Netflicks – isn’t that what everyone does?!
