King's Lynn carer's award for Going the Extra Mile

A King’s Lynn carer who served with the RAF has added to his collection of awards from the company he works for.

Trevor Diack took the Rising Star Award at Norfolk home care company Extra Hands just two years ago, and now he has been singled-out for the Going the Extra Mile (GEM) award for the Heacham office.

Having travelled the world before taking early retirement from the air force, Trevor was working as an exam invigilator when he decided that there was an alternative out there that suited him.

And it’s the teamwork, training  and support at Extra Hands that is so exceptional, he says, and knowing that there is always someone on the end of a phone to help if necessary.

“It’s an incredible privilege to be able to go into someone’s house and help them to stay independent and at home for as long as possible. I’ve worked with people aged 100 or more and it really is a privilege,” he said.

“There is also a great deal of job satisfaction - and I know how families feel as my wife Siska has multiple sclerosis and my mum is 90 and in a care home herself. It’s important to have the right carers around and to build that trust.”

And the caring gene seems to run through his family as Trevor’s mum was a nurse and three sisters are carers. Both his daughters, now musicians, were also young carers due to his wife’s MS.

Living in King’s Lynn, Trevor was nominated for the award by a service user and their daughter.

“We are both nominating Trevor. From dad’s point of view, Trevor always makes sure dad has all his bits and pieces (hearing aids, careline, teeth etc!). He does what is asked of him regarding dad’s medication and dad says he always has a lovely chat with him and lets him know if there’s anything in the diary for the day.

“From my point of view, Trevor always writes a good report and gives a clear picture of how dad is doing. Thanks Trevor!”

The relatively new technology of computerised notes means families get ‘real time’ updates about their loved ones wherever they are in the country, or even abroad.

“We are encouraged to write notes that we would want to both read and understand. With mum in a home down in Portsmouth, I understand how important that is.”