It's great working with Friends of the Elderly. On this page we feature 60-second interviews with some of our staff, to find out why the enjoy working with older people and Friends of the Elderly.
Tadeusz Bebenowicz - Carer, Woodcote Grove House
Sharon Blades - Manager, Home Visiting Service, West Elmbridge
Name
Tadeusz Bebenowicz – AKA – “Ted” – pronounced “Tod – Ush”
Role
Carer – Woodcote Grove House
Started job
Feb 2005 – I couldn’t believe I passed my interviews to join Friends of the Elderly, because I’ve always wanted to aim higher and earn more and that’s just not possible in Poland.
Why I like working with older people
I’m a trained Social Worker and I like working with people not technology - age doesn’t matter.
Previous roles
Physical Education Teacher and Renault salesman in Gadansk
Best bit
I love the quietness of the location and the ability to travel, to see London, to be in a crowd at concerts
What I miss
Food '0grokowa soup', (cucumber and pickles) Okon and Szcupak - fresh lake fish, the landscape and is it okay if I say international volley ball too!!
Hobbies
Tourism and travelling around – we’re planning a trip to Ireland soon, cycling in the countryside, swimming in Wallington
Name
Sharon Blades
Role
Manager – Home Visiting Service, West Elmbridge
Best bit
Too many to choose - meeting the amazing variety of people, both staff, clients and volunteers, in my job. Knowing that the work we all do makes a big difference to other people. Being supported and part of a great Community Services team. Dropping 2 dress sizes when I ran the British 10K Run in aid of our service and also being nominated for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
I’d take tea with
My client Ken, who I visit voluntarily every week. He is a wonderful, charming man who has struggled to cope with illness for a number of years. We sometimes go out for tea to a local café – he doesn’t get out of the house otherwise. This makes him smile and lifts his spirits for a while.
Favourite old movie
Pulp Fiction – It’s a classic with funky music & has lots of funny one-liners. My friends & I have been known to dress up & re-enact the movie after a few glasses of wine! Thankfully no-one has caught this on video!
Hobbies
Cooking, swimming, gym, running & food festivals/markets.
Why I like working with older people
They have a lifetime of experience and wisdom. They have so many stories to tell, particularly wartime, which has affected how we all live today.