MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday May 5, 2021
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80-year-old Liz is busting the myths around age in role at Aberdeenshire care home
Liz Thomson, an Activities Coordinator at Balhousie Huntly care home, has just celebrated her 80th birthday. Most people when they reach their eighties are thinking about slowing down, but not Liz.
Busting many myths along the way, Liz leads the events calendar in the Aberdeenshire residential home for dozens of residents, organising daily activities, from afternoon teas and coffee mornings to knitting clubs and card games – and all with a spring in her step.
Born in Portsoy, Liz worked in hospitality for many years and even ran a hotel in the rural village of Rhynie before joining the Balhousie Huntly family when the home opened in 2012. In that time, Liz, who lives in Huntly, has built friendships with many of the residents, some of whom she is actually older than.
Home manager Richard Lake, who recently joined the team himself, has been amazed by Liz’s energy. “Every time I see Liz, she is always on the move, doing something great with our residents,” Richard said. “She’s very caring and empathetic. Being older, she has a wonderful understanding and rapport with our residents. She’s tremendously hard working – and at 80 years-young it’s very inspiring. On behalf of everyone here at Balhousie Huntly I’d like to wish Liz a very happy 80th birthday.”
Liz is humble about her impact at the care home. It’s all just ‘every day’ to her. “I have tried retiring before,” Liz explains, “but I like working!” Liz has worked in many roles at Balhousie Huntly including in the laundry team, kitchen and domestic teams, but she loves her role in the activities team most. “I really enjoy the time I spend with the residents. I’ve known some of them for nine years now, so organising and leading activities is always enjoyable.”
Huntly is currently seeking carers and another activities coordinator to join their team. Balhousie refer to their colleagues as Everyday Heroes. Liz is certainly one! If you’re interested in joining Liz and the team at Balhousie Huntly please visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk/careers or email careers@balhousiecare.co.uk
For more information about Balhousie Care Group visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Anna Gunn on 07492 163614 or email anna.gunn@balhousiecare.co.uk
About Balhousie Care Group
Balhousie Care Group was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in North East Scotland. Today, with 26 homes in the area, it is one of the leading providers of care for the elderly in Scotland, providing care to over 900 residents.
Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care. Putting people right at the forefront of everything they do; it’s inclusive of everyone. They capture this philosophy through the roll out of ‘Together We’re Great’, an initiative which recognises the skills, talents, attributes and support areas for each and every person involved in the organisation. Together We’re Great aims to value individuality and promote excellence across the organisation.
A Participation Charter – a first-of-its-kind in the care home sector – commits to residents getting a bigger say than ever in the care they receive, from writing care home policies to recruiting staff.
Balhousie Care Group is the recipient of numerous awards. These include three Scottish Care Awards, 2019 Growth Business and 2018 Service Business of the Year at The Courier Business Awards, 2019 Growth Business of the Year Perthshire Chamber of Commerce STAR Award, and SME Scotland Business Man of the Year 2019 for Chairman Tony Banks.
