Sandra retires after 32 years at The Depperhaugh Nursing Home
When Sandra Moss arrived at The Depperhaugh Nursing Home she was struck by the sheer physical hard work of a carer’s job in the era before hoists.
The former Lowestoft Police Constable said: “I also found it difficult because it was my first contact with dementia. However, I gave myself a month and I have been here ever since – and I have loved coming here for every shift.”
On Tuesday <17 December>, colleagues and residents at the Kingsley Healthcare home, in Hoxne, near Eye, said goodbye to Senior Support Worker Mrs Moss as she retired after 32 years – on the same day they celebrated the 100th birthday of Florence “Mabel” Woods.
She was presented with gifts and flowers from the home and head office teams.
Mrs Moss, 67, of Needham, near Harleston, is retiring at the same time as her husband John, an HGV lorry driver. The couple, who met when they were both police officers, plan to travel extensively around the UK and enjoy new places.
A mother to five children, aged 37 to 44, Mrs Moss said: “When my youngest was five I thought about going back to work and a friend who lived in Hoxne told me there was a job at The Depperhaugh, then run by Mr and Mrs Richmond.”
She started working as a carer one night a week but built up to 48 hours a week and was promoted to team leader; when Kingsley acquired the 19th century former Admiral’s house in 2008, Mrs Moss became a Senior Support Worker.
Mrs Moss, who in the summer was selected as Support Worker of the Year in Kingsley’s 25th Anniversary Regional Care Awards, said: “The Depperhaugh is part of my life; it’s always been a happy, homely place, a beautiful old house.
“I have loved caring for the residents and the team I have worked with, past and present, are awesome people.”
“It’s wonderful coming into work and seeing deer in the garden and all the birds, squirrels and rabbits.”
She said she intended to stay in touch by attending the home’s coffee mornings and fetes, as well as popping in to see the residents.
Home manager Debbie Reeve said: “Sandra will be very much missed by us all and I have always felt proud to have her as part of our team. Sandra has been a role model for many through the years with her hard work and dedication towards her job role and residents’ care and wellbeing. She will remain a part of our family at Depperhaugh and we wish her and her husband a healthy and happy retirement.”
