84-Year Old Health Care Assistant Won’t Retire!

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, at Little Bramingham Farm, 84-year-old Health Care Assistant, Abi Lewis, at the Luton-based residential care run by Charity, Friends of the Elderly has been sharing her love of caring and her caring career.

Jamaican born Abi, is a NVQ Level Two qualified Health Care Assistant who has worked in the Care Sector for 15 years – 10 of those working at Friends of the Elderly’s Little Bramingham Farm Residential Care Home in Luton.

Abi married her Husband, Charles in 1964 at Wilsden Church in London and the happy couple became parents to two daughters, Elaine and Charlie.

“I’ve always had a passion for caring for others and making a difference in peoples’ lives. So, at 65-years-old, I attended Stanmore College and gained my NVQ Level Two qualification so I could pursue my new chosen career in care.”

Abi and her family decided to move to Luton and once settled, she joined Friends of the Elderly in 2015, Abi said: “I love working at Little Bramingham Farm, I can’t think of a better place to be every day. My role as a Health Care Assistant is so rewarding. Spending time with the residents, hearing about their life stories and sharing experiences is so worthwhile. Getting lovely smiles from the residents makes my day – every day.”

“Abi gets on extremely well with all the residents,” continued Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm. “With her infectious smile, Abi lights up a room when she enters and is exceptionally kind and caring.

“Abi often reminisces with the residents and tells them stories about her childhood and growing up in Jamacia. Like a lot of the residents, Abi is very well travelled, and they are often chatting about the favourite places they have visited or holidays they have had.”

“Working at Little Bramingham Farm is like coming home every day,” continued Abi. “We are one big happy family which supports each other, regardless of our roles. I was asked the other day why I hadn’t retired and why I do what I do. The answer is simple really, I enjoy making a positive, uplifting difference to the residents’ days, and it’s not something I’m planning on stopping anytime soon – I love it too much.”