MEDIA RELEASE: Monday 16 October, 2023
IMAGES: FREE TO USE
Carer ‘Babs’ says farewell at Balhousie Rumbling Bridge after 36 years
A popular and much-loved member of the team at Rumbling Bridge, Balhousie Care Group’s Specialist Care home in Kinross, Perthshire, is retiring this week after over three decades providing the very best care to the residents.
Adelina ‘Babs’ Somerville has been a constant at Rumbling Bridge, beginning work as a Care Assistant on the very first day the home opened, on May 5, 1987. 36 years later, Babs is reflecting back on her time caring for the residents who have become like a second family to her. Babs explained:
“It’s been a pleasure looking after the residents, and being there for the families. I feel humbled to have cared for their loved ones. I’ve met so many residents over the years and heard their stories. I’ve learned so much from them.”
It’s not just the residents that Babs will miss. The staff have become extended family as well. Babs said:
“You’re working with them all the time so they become like another family. You could go around the world twice and you wouldn’t meet such lovely people as they’ve all been, every single one of them.”
It’s clear what has kept Babs at Rumbling Bridge for so long. Her kind, compassionate nature has made caring a natural vocation and one she’s keen to champion. She said:
“It’s a true enough saying, if you find something to do that you love, you’ll never work a day in your life and that’s how I’ve always felt here. It’s a lovely profession. For those thinking about being a carer, treat the residents like you’d treat your own family and, if you have compassion in your heart, it’s hard work but very rewarding.”
Her colleagues will miss Babs as much as she will miss them. Morag Shea, Home Manager at Balhousie Rumbling Bridge, said:
“Babs has been part of Rumbling Bridge for 36 years and to say she’ll be missed by everyone here is an understatement. Babs has compassion and kindness running through her veins and is a wonderful carer to all our residents. She’ll be sorely missed by all of us, but we are delighted for her to be getting to spend more time with her family as she retires. On behalf of all the residents and staff at Rumbling Bridge, we’d like to wish Babs the very happiest of retirements. We’ll miss you, Babs!”
Now she’s retiring, Babs is planning to spend more time with her own family, including her grandchildren on whom she dotes. Her daughter, Adele Smart, has many happy childhood memories of visiting Rumbling Bridge over the years with her mum.
“I remember watching my mum talk with the residents and care for them in the most gentle and patient way,” says Adele. “Mum felt it was important for us to learn from the older generation, learning from their stories and life experiences. I know Mum is retiring with a heavy heart as she will miss her residents, but she hopes to visit them regularly – with her grandchildren, Zoe, James and Ozzy.”
In a final recognition on her last shift, as the whole Balhousie team presented Babs with flowers, a hamper and a fob watch keepsake of her time at Rumbling Bridge, the Huntington’s team at the specialist care home, was also announced as a finalist in the Specialist Service Unit of the Year category in the Scottish Care awards. Double celebrations all round!
For more information about Balhousie Care Group visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk
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Photos:
- Adelina ‘Babs’ Somerville, Care Assistant, with her colleagues at Balhousie Rumbling Bridge Care Home.
- L to R: Adelina ‘Babs’ Somerville, Care Assistant and Morag Shea, Home Manager, Balhousie Rumbling Bridge Care Home.
Video link: https://youtu.be/9FN5yRxhu-k
For media enquiries please contact Anna Gunn or Melanie Brockway on: Anna.Gunn@balhousiecare.co.uk or Melanie.Brockway@balhousiecare.co.uk
Or call 01738 254 254
Notes to Editors
About Balhousie Care Group
Balhousie Care Group was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in central and North East Scotland. Today, with 24 homes, providing care to almost 900 residents and employing over 1400 team members, it is one of the leading providers of care for older persons in Scotland, as well as specialist dementia and Huntington’s care, care for young adults with a diagnosed learning disability and a Youth Physical Disability service.
Owned by AcalisCare, Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care and inclusivity: putting people right at the heart of everything they do.
Our person-centred approach to care, our innovative practices and our close community links have won us a swathe of awards, and made us a trusted name in care.
Balhousie Care Group is the recipient of numerous awards. Most recently, these include three Scottish Care Awards; three 2022 Courier Business Awards including Business of the Year, a 2022 Great British Care Award, a 2022 s1Jobs Shine Award. In 2023, they were finalists in four categories of the UK-wide Housing with Care Awards, winning the award for Supported Housing Innovation and highly commended in the Tenant Co-production award category; currently four finalists in the 2023 Scottish Care Awards awaiting the final outcomes in November 2023.
