‘You’ll never get two days the same – there’s always something happening’

Debbie Ferguson, Senior Carer at Balhousie Antiquary, has worked in the care sector for over 40 years and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Arbroath born-and-bred, Debbie has worked for Balhousie Care Group for 20 years, beginning as a Care Assistant at Antiquary, then working between Antiquary and our other care home in Arbroath, Balhousie Monkbarns as a Senior Carer, a Team Leader, and a Deputy Home Manager before being the Interim Home Manager at Monkbarns for a period.

You name a role and Debbie has probably done it, but her heart is always lay with caring for the residents.

“I’ve been working in care since I was 16-years-old,” says Debbie. “In fact, it’s more than 40 years, but we’ll not go there!”

After leaving school, Debbie gained her SVQ2 and 3 in care and studied for a degree in Mental Health Nursing, but, gave up just two weeks before she was due to graduate. “I regret it at times as I always thought I’d do nursing, but I’d burnt out at the time and was happy to keep working in care roles.”

Today, Debbie wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have lots of happy memories working at Antiquary and Monkbarns over the years. I’ve got a great bond with the staff, and the residents are just so lovely, they really are. They become a second family.”

“It’s a rewarding job, sometimes there’s not enough hours in the day. You’ll never get two days the same – there’s always something happening, but as long as you can put a smile on a resident’s face and see that they’re happy, that’s what matters.”

When it comes to working the care sector, Debbie has some wise advice for anyone considering becoming a carer. “If you have a passion for care, go for it,” she says. “If you can help somebody who is needing care then go for it, enjoy it and take every minute as it comes.”