‘The best thing about my job is seeing all the smiles’
AS a senior carer Fabio Freitas has spent the last ten years working in the care sector, four of those in his current role at Oakland Grange Care Home.
The 35-year-old’s daily duties include helping residents to get ready, providing the correct dose of medication and completing any necessary paperwork.
Fabio said: ‘I am basically here to see to residents’ everyday needs, whether that is helping with a call to families, making a cup of tea or even just having a chat.
‘The best thing about my job is I love just seeing residents with a smile on their faces.’
While the impact of Covid regulations means many residents may not be able to spend as much time with family this year, Fabio is determined to ensure they still enjoy some festive fun.
He said: ‘Instead of having a meal with their families we will all sit down together – staff and residents – for Christmas dinner.
With the impacts of the Covid pandemic it has been a challenging year .
Fabio said: ‘During the summer we erected a marquee in the garden which let residents see family members for 15 minutes. With it now being winter we have created a designated area in which residents can meet family members behind a protective screen.’
The care worker is grateful for the support received throughout the pandemic.
Fabio added: ‘I feel very privileged with the support we have received
The News has joined other organisations across Portsmouth to thank staff in the care industry after what has been a tougher year than most.
We are profiling 12 people who work in care in our 12
Days of Caring series. Shaping Portsmouth is organising city groups and businesses including the University of Portsmouth, Wightlink and Hovertravel to purchase £70 Christmas hampers and deliver them to the 39 care homes in the city, as well as to homecare providers.
There will be a carol concert for care homes broadcast on the Portsmouth Music Hub YouTube channel at 2.30pm on December 22. The Portsmouth Carols for Care initiative has seen the recording of classic festive tunes performed St John’s Cathedral Catholic Primary School, St John’s College, Corpus Christi Primary and St Paul’s Catholic Primary, as well as music from the Portsmouth Hub Chamber Choir and St Mary’s Church along with the Salvation Army.
Our 12 Days of Caring series, running up to Christmas Eve, is saluting the exceptional work of the care sector during a tough year in which staff have had to go the extra mile. NEIL FATKIN reports.