Student reflects on work placement experience at Greenacres

After completing a 13-week work placement, a college student is sharing their experience working at Greenacres care home.

Polly Towler, 18, joined the care team in November 2022 after the home partnered with Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology) to help teach, empower and support local youth in their career journey.

Polly said:

Being a part of the team at Greenacres care home has been great. The home has a real warm sense to it, and everyone is so welcoming and friendly.

At Greenacres care home there is a range of activities and events for residents to take part in including gardening, baking, enjoying live entertainment, and themed parties. As part of her work placement, Polly assisted residents during many of these activities. She also supported residents with meals and engaged with them in one-to-one conversations allowing her to form relationships with many of them.

Polly said:

It was a real eye-opening experience. I learned how to understand and communicate with the needs of residents to create a better environment for them. One thing that I learned which will really stick with me is that the people living in care homes are individuals who deserve the best care. This inspires me to provide the best care I can to anyone in the future who needs it!

For Polly, the best part of the experience was spending quality time with residents and really getting to know them. 

She said:

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with residents and becoming familiar with their personalities. There were quite a few residents who I bonded with during my placement. Understanding their needs and preferences but also getting to know them as individuals really made them all unique. I found when having a one-to-one conversation with a resident it really enabled them to feel comfortable with me. They often asked me about my studies which I found lifted their spirits.

I also really enjoyed watching and participating in activities such as ‘Rise and Shine.’ It was always great to see them having fun and feeling happy together.

Leigh Arney, Manager at Greenacres care home, said:

Polly has been an amazing addition to the care team. She struck up some great friendships and rally learned how to interact with residents with different diagnoses and levels of Dementia. 

Work placements are a great way for people to gain practical experience in the care sector. If you are considering a career in care, I encourage you to speak to carers or find a way to get involved with a care home such as through a volunteering opportunity, apprenticeship, or work placement such as Polly did. A career in care is extremely rewarding and a fantastic way to make a real difference in the lives of others.

When asked her advice to anyone joining the care sector Polly said:

Enjoy it! Talk to the residents and give them a sense of warmth. Don’t be afraid to get involved and be yourself.

For more information on Greenacres care home please click here.