Resident and staff of Friars Mead care home in Kings Langley were treated to a special afternoon tea in honour of Sharon Bell, who was celebrating 30 years of working at the home.
Managed by the Abbeyfield Hertfordshire Residential Care Society, Friars Mead also recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and Sharon has been ever-present right from the beginning, starting as a young carer and rising to the level of Deputy Manager.
She is one of six staff members who have spent over 20 years at Friars Mead.
Sharon said, “I have loved every minute of the last 30 years, and it really is a testament to what a wonderful place it is to work that so many of my colleagues have also spent decades here caring for our residents. There have been many challenges, particularly this past year, but the residents and the staff all make it such a welcoming place every day that sometimes it doesn’t feel like work at all.
“I’ve seen so many changes over the years and I’m looking forward to whatever the future has in store, especially a big party with our residents and their families once the COVID restrictions are lifted.”
Residents and staff celebrated both inside and in the Friars Mead garden, with glasses of prosecco, a toast and a special cake, and they all sang along to Sir Cliff Richard’s ‘Congratulations’. Sharon was also presented with gifts including a bracelet and necklace, a personalised notebook and some flowers.
Activity Coordinator Lindsey Mills said, “Sharon’s door is always open. She is always smiling and you are never fearful of going to her for anything. She is very complimentary of a job well done, and always has a positive way of looking at how we can change things if something isn’t quite right.”
Several of the residents also added that she didn’t look old enough to have worked there for 30 years, and enjoyed an afternoon reminiscing about Sharon’s time at the home.
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