Islington care worker bids farewell after 43 years

An Islington care worker who has helped to look after older and vulnerable residents in their own homes for more than 40 years has finally made her last visit.

 

Ms Evelyn Martin MBE joined the north London local authority 43 years ago and worked in the council’s ‘Reablement and Home Support Service’ – caring for isolated older people with dementia and other complex needs.

 

Over her long career with Islington Council Ms Martin looked after hundreds of older residents – one for the last 15 years of the resident’s life – helping them with personal care and other tasks such as shopping.

 

She also worked as a Branch Equalities Advisor with the GMB union and as a school governor at Moreland School in EC1.

 

Speaking about her role as a carer, Ms Martin said: “I have no regrets. It's been lovely. I'd do it again! It's so fulfilling. We learn so much from one another. I've learned so much in various different ways. I think I'm blessed. I've had really wonderful managers. They've been a source of strength to me."
 

Friends, colleagues, and council staff came together at a special send off for her at Daylight day centre, last Friday.

 

Islington Council’s Director of Housing and Adult Social Services, Sean McLaughlin, said:  “Islington’s carers work hard every day of the year so older and vulnerable people can be safe and live as independently as possible.  

Despite over four decades on the job, Ms Martin’s dogged dedication to helping people in need – a passion she attributes to her childhood in an impoverished part of rural Jamaica – remains resolute.

 

She sees her ‘retirement’ as a chance to concentrate more on her volunteer work helping to cook and provide food and clothes to homeless people in Stoke Newington, as she has done for 20 years.

 

In 2011 Ms Martin, now in her seventies, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.