Caring Heather is in the running for top award
“I’m just doing my job,” insists carer of the year nominee Heather Gilluley.
Strathaven-based Heather has been working in care for more than a decade.
After all her hard graft, Mears Care branch manager Mary Oakes put her forward for the Scottish Care at Home award and highlighted how Heather had gone the extra mile for one local woman.
Heather supports people within their own homes to live as independently as possible.
And Mary told the Advertiser that Heather had helped one of her service users when the lady’s health deteriorated.
As she only has one relative – who does not live locally – Heather dealt with health professionals and social work with regards to the woman’s safety, health and wellbeing.
She stayed with the woman five days a week until she was settled into a new care home.
The awards ceremony takes place on Friday, May 12, at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow and Heather is looking forward to a great night.
At first she was shocked by the nomination – now she is immensely proud.
“I just want to treat people like we would want our parents treated in care,” said Heather.
“It’s about doing going the extra mile.
“I would do these things for anybody – so when I was first told about the award I was really embarrassed.
“The more I thought about it I realised that bit more and how nice a thing it really is.
“There always seems to be bad stories about carers out there. From personal experience I think for every one bad carer there are at least 10 excellent ones.
“I’m proud to have been picked from hundreds for this award. It really means a lot that I have been recognised.
“People say that they were put on earth to do a job – so I guess this is mine!”