Catherine Kelly, 36, from Bournemouth is a senior healthcare assistant for Marie Curie Cancer Care
T
here’s something special about working for Marie Curie. I’d trained as a healthcare assistant within the NHS and loved my job but there were times when
I wanted more patient contact. When my mum suggested working for Marie Curie, I didn’t really know quite what to expect. What I found was my spiritual home. Here I work on a one-to-one basis, provide help and advice to families going through possibly the worst time of their lives and, of course, help keep them as pain and symptom-free as possible. I choose to work night shifts so families can get some much-needed sleep while knowing their loved one is being properly cared for. Sometimes a patient will just want to talk, to ask questions or tell stories. Sometimes I am handed a cat, dog or parrot to see to, as they are part of the family too! I never forget that I’m a guest in someone’s home, but I’m always made to feel so welcome that it’s a pleasure to go to work. For work my hair must be tied back, make-up must be minimal and there’s a ‘no nail varnish’ rule, so it will be lovely to put all that I’ve learnt into practice this month. I can’t wait to sparkle!