Jenny Cripps

Senior Carer, Home for Older People

Jenny sadly passed away on 28 July 2010 just after her 60th birthday. Jenny was one of our shining stars. Her family has kindly agreed to keep this testimonial from her on the website as a tribute to the more than 35 years Jenny dedicated to caring for older people and as an inspiriation to others.

Fremantle is always looking for improvements and looking to the future, keeping up with the changing needs of the individuals and the service and involves residents and staff in its changes. It offers an excellent training programme at its own NVQ centre, for all of its staff to develop the skills and qualifications needed for the workplace.

Fremantle has taken Care Homes away from the ‘institutionalised’ scenario. It gives its customers quality care and individuality. It allows better choices. The care homes have a more homely atmosphere. If you don’t want to get up one day, you don’t have to. If you want to stay in your room, you can. We have moved away from the ‘conveyor belt’ system of years gone by, when there were strict times and routines. Four bedded rooms, with a ‘privacy’ curtain if you were lucky. Things have changed for the better.

Fremantle manages to see the potential of its entire staff and to develop them to their best ability, which is good for staff. I have a lot to thank some managers for, I have done things which I never thought I would at my age. I have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, an A1 Assessors qualification and have just done Train the Trainer for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

I am a very organised, thorough person in my job and I love a challenge. There are many fulfilling aspects to my job but if I had to pick one it would have to be Palliative Care. I come into my own on that side of care. I like to make sure everything possible is undertaken to maintain the dignity, respect and privacy of the terminally ill person. I ensure that all of their wishes are adhered to and that no one dies alone if that is at all avoidable. Even after death all respect is shown and carried out. Not forgetting the families, it is a very distressing and sad time for them. Support, care and sensitivity are always uppermost in my mind where families, and other staff, are concerned. They may never have seen death before, or they may have done and it brings back other sad memories. I would like to think that I support all those involved. I have experienced losing loved ones of my own and I know the pain and loss people can feel. I have my own end of life plan written up and I hope that all my wishes will be fulfilled when the time comes; the same as I will help fulfil the resident's last wishes when their lives end.