Dedicated home support worker

Irene Brown

Eighteen years of being a Home Support Worker caring for a man with learning difficulties, Irene Brown believes she has the best job in the world!

The Middleton carer has dedicated the last 18 years to more or less caring for the same client a 70-year-old gentleman, taking pleasure in making sure he has a good quality of life.

Irene helps her client with house keeping, catering for his needs and helping him socialise. Now she says they are more like family, offering her a home from home each day when she sets out to work in Alkrington. Her client even acts as her lucky mascot out of working hours supporting her as she competes as part of a local darts team.

Irene said: “After such a long time we have established a fantastic relationship, caring for my client doesn’t feel like work it’s a pleasure. Our relationship is built on trust and it is amazing to feel that someone thinks you are worthy of trusting to such an extent.  It’s a great feeling everyday knowing that you have helped make someone happy.”

Both Irene and her client will be joining the celebrations marking 23 years of the Rochdale Borough’s Learning Disabilities Service on 22 March 2007. The event at the Town Hall is a tribute to both staff and clients and their outstanding achievements.

Irene added: “I think the celebration will be a nice opportunity for staff and clients to get together, enjoy a good party and have our work recognised. I have been proud to work for a service that has always strived to live up to our clients expectations and offer them choices.”

Looking to the future now that the Learning Disability Service will be managed by various organisations rather than the Primary Care Trust as of June 2007 and Irene is confident that the service will continue to be as valuable and successful as it always has been.