When people talk about care, the conversation often turns to funding, workforce pressures, regulation or capacity. These things matter deeply, but they can risk losing sight of what care really is, because care doesn’t begin with a care plan. It begins with noticing. Noticing that someone now prefers their tea a little weaker, that a familiar song from years gone by brings a smile to a face.
At Nightingale Hammerson, we’re reminded every day that care isn’t just something we do for someone, it’s about the little acts of kindness that make a real difference. Senior Healthcare Assistant, Jeremiah knows only too well how going that extra mile brings new meaning to the word care. He always tries to look beyond the usual routines of medication and feeding and combines his knowledge of psychology with his love of art and poetry.
“By profession, I am a Clinical Psychologist, but I am also passionate about art and poetry,” he says. “Alongside the excellent care we offer at Nightingale Hammerson, I wanted to connect with Residents on a much deeper level.”
He began by drawing sketches of the Residents on Wigoder Household at Hammerson House and writing small, personalised poems, tailored to each one. The Residents loved both the sketches and the words he wrote especially for them. It brought them genuine happiness. Through the beautiful relationships he built using art and poetry, Jeremiah believes his work became far more personal and meaningful.
Jeremiah recently moved to night shifts on Isaac Household and is getting to know the Residents there. Naturally, this changes the way he can bond with them as he is mainly with them during the hours when they are asleep.
“What makes Nightingale Hammerson so special is that the management team is always willing to think creatively about how care teams can use their talents to engage with and support the people we care for,” he explains. “For example, my manager, Fatima, organised an art session for Residents and arranged for me to come in during the day to lead the class.”
The Residents were delighted by the opportunity and looked forward to the session.
This was hugely rewarding for Jeremiah as the majority of the work on night shifts involves paperwork and tasks that do not always allow him to express directly how much he loves and cares for the Residents.
“The art session was a meaningful expression of love, care and connection. I bonded even more with those who attended the session and I noticed that they seemed happier and more reassured whenever I am on night shift.”
For Nightingale Hammerson’s Chief Executive, Jenny Pattinson, supporting policies that enhance the quality of life of our Residents is an act of love.
Jenny says, “We embrace the concept of ‘professional love’ in everything we do. In both homes, professional love is demonstrated through showing kindness and compassion, devoting time and attention to people and most importantly, by creating connections. Showing that love for one another is not about what we say, it is about what we do.”
At Nightingale Hammerson, love is not just an emotion, it’s a lifeline. Whether expressed through daily interactions, acts of compassion or personalised drawings and poems, love transforms care homes into communities of belonging. It reduces isolation, fosters connection and ensures that every Resident feels valued and cherished. At Nightingale Hammerson, love truly makes life worth living.
