Melody's Story - Homecarers Ltd

Here, at Homecarers, we love to engage with our staff and celebrate their successes. We were able to speak to Melody and she shared a little bit about her life, how she got into care and her experience working in care.

Melody’s story

“Care is more than a responsibility to me , it is a divine calling, a duty placed in my heart and hands by God. It brings me a profound sense of peace and fulfilment. As the firstborn in my family, nurturing others has always been second nature. From childhood, I cared for my siblings. I felt an overwhelming desire to extend that same care to others—to make people around me feel seen, safe, and valued. Even strangers. I wanted to offer the kind of love and care that made the world feel like a gentler place, even in the absence of family. This is why I started my career in Health and Social Care. Whether it’s physical care, emotional support, or simply offering uplifting words, I strive to give my service users reasons to smile again.

Right after graduating from university, I volunteered as a care assistant at a paediatric hospital in Nigeria. That experience shaped me in unforgettable ways. In just three months, I was offered a permanent role by the hospital’s Medical Director. He welcomed me into the management team, and I worked across all departments, learning the value of care from the young to elderly.

I joined HCL in December 2024, and I have really enjoyed my experience. Over my time as a carer, I’ve had countless service users sincerely thank me for giving them what they describe as the “best wash they’ve ever had”. Personal hygiene isn’t just another task to me. It’s a matter of maintaining their dignity.

One memory I hold close to my heart is with a 90-year-old service user who had lost his wife years ago. One day, I arrived and saw him through the window looking exhausted, confused, and withdrawn. As I walked in and started talking to him, I realised he wasn’t his usual self. He hadn’t touched the meal left for him earlier. When I asked if he’d eaten, he said the food felt “empty.”

I understood—he didn’t need just a meal; he needed warmth. I cleared the table, listened as he spoke, and reassured him. Then, I went to his fridge, grabbed an Ensure Plus milk, and gave it a good shake. That simple sound made him smile. “It’s the way you shake it, before you give it to me,” he said. “It makes me feel like you care so much.” I offered him a cottage pie and sang playfully, “Everybody loves cottage pie,” to which he replied, “No, it’s Melody that makes it special.” He ate and drank, and I stayed by his side until the ambulance I’d called arrived to check him over.

The paramedics wanted to take him in as they were concerned. He didn’t want to go unless I came along, which touched everyone present. I gently explained I needed to care for others too, and he eventually agreed, though he kept saying, “See you soon.” That day reminded me: care should always come from the heart. It’s not about a pay check, though carers deserve to be well-paid and respected. True care is about presence, compassion, and the courage to make someone feel less alone.”