Mandy has a heart of pure gold Carer rewarded for going extra mile

A West Lothian carer has been recognised by her employers after going the extra mile for a colleague when their car broke down.

Mandy Mason, 49, from Bathgate, has been awarded the Carer of the Month award from her employers Mears Care.

Mandy picked up some of her colleague’s work to help her out and made all the required care visits to ensure everyone was looked after on a dark day when her colleague’s car broke down.

Not only that, Mandy’s husband stayed with her colleague and the broken down car for four hours until the rescue services arrived. Mandy says: “I am delighted to have received this award, but it’s all in a day’s work for me. I absolutely love this work, dealing with people every day and really making a difference to their lives.”

After two years at Mears, Mandy says:” I wish I had come into this kind of work so much sooner. I get so much job satisfaction.

“Friends always said I would have the patience for this. I am very fond of the people I help to look after.

“Most of them live with their families but need extra care at home to remain independently living and I know my involvement means they have a better day.” Mears is one of the biggest providers of care at home across the UK, with 20 offices across Scotland providing care at home on contract to local authorities, and additional top up services privately to those who need it.

Desiree MacLennan, branch manager for Mears Bathgate, said: “Mandy provides physical, practical, personal and emotional support to 30 of our service users across a week, in Bathgate, Torphichen and Bangour.

“Although Mandy used to work in retail, with her patience and kindness and care for others she is ideally suited to work in care at home.”