Montgomery House, Sundorne, Shrewsbury – As Coverage Care celebrates its 30th anniversary, two long-serving staff members, Debbie Wilkinson and Sharon Evans, reflect on their remarkable journey with the organisation. Between them, they have dedicated an incredible 59 years to providing compassionate care and support to residents.
Debbie Wilkinson began her career as a carer in 1997 at the then Crowmoor nursing home. Recognising her potential, Coverage Care supported her throughout her career, even assisting her with a dyslexia diagnosis by covering the cost of the test. Over the years Debbie has done pretty much every job going at the home and Debbie's journey is a testament to the organisation's commitment to nurturing its staff.
Sharon Evans started her career with Coverage Care in 1992. Over the decades, she has witnessed significant changes, particularly in technology. "When we first started, everything was paper-based. Now, it's all digital," Sharon noted. She also observed a shift in the demographics of residents, who are now older and have more complex needs.
Reflecting on the company culture, both Debbie and Sharon praised Coverage Care's inclusive and encouraging environment. "Staff respect residents as individuals and protect their privacy and dignity," they shared. The organisation fosters a culture where ideas are shared openly, and mistakes are acknowledged and learned from.
When asked about memorable moments during their career with Coverage Care, both women fondly recalled the trips out on the minibus. "Residents tell you things on trips that they won't tell you at other times. They act like children, and I love to see their smiles. What goes on the minibus stays on the minibus!" Debbie said with a smile.
For those just starting their careers at Coverage Care, Debbie and Sharon offer words of wisdom. "Give it time – it just gets better. It's a learning curve, and staff here have a lot of experience and are always willing to help," they advised. They also emphasized the strong sense of community, noting that during times of need, the community always comes together to support them.
As they look to the future, Debbie hopes her legacy will be that she made a difference in someone's life, while Sharon aims to ensure that staff are well-trained to keep the home gleaming.
Coverage Care's 30th anniversary is not just a celebration of the organisation's longevity but also a tribute to the dedication and hard work of staff members like Debbie Wilkinson and Sharon Evans, who have made it a special place to work and live.
