Pensioner lands a volunteer job – at the Doncaster care home where she lives

Pensioner Maureen Townend has landed a care assistant job – at the same Doncaster care home that she lives in.
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Maureen wanted to help staff at Flower Park Care Home in Denaby Main and convinced them she could do it. She now has a uniform and helps whenever she can.

One of Maureen’s favourite jobs is to hand out slices of cake to the residents in the afternoons and make sure their teacups are full.

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Maureen Townend handing out the cake.  An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff.  See SWNS story SWLEcarer.  Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant.  After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.Maureen Townend handing out the cake.  An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff.  See SWNS story SWLEcarer.  Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant.  After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.
Maureen Townend handing out the cake. An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff. See SWNS story SWLEcarer. Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant. After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.
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The retired receptionist, a widow and mum-of-one, said: “I like to be busy and I love helping people. I might not always be fit enough to be busy.

“I don’t want a job but I like to volunteer and help. I don’t mind making cups of tea and helping with what I can.

“I still like cleaning but not like I used to.

“I can’t do as much as I could when I was younger though and I like my rest sometimes as well."

Maureen Townend on the tea run.  An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff.  See SWNS story SWLEcarer.  Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant.  After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.Maureen Townend on the tea run.  An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff.  See SWNS story SWLEcarer.  Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant.  After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.
Maureen Townend on the tea run. An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff. See SWNS story SWLEcarer. Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant. After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.

Flower Park deputy manager Danielle Savage described Maureen, who has been at the home since March last year, as “very fit, healthy and active”.

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She added: “She’s definitely a bit of a character and likes to take the lead. Maureen’s very well known to the other residents.

“As a person, Maureen prefers to be on the go constantly, she likes to be doing stuff.

“I think it worries her that if she ever stops going that’s when she’ll decline, so she likes to keep going and keep her mind stimulated.

Maureen Townend with Deputy Manager of Flower Park Care Home, Danielle Savage.  An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff.  See SWNS story SWLEcarer.  Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant.  After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.Maureen Townend with Deputy Manager of Flower Park Care Home, Danielle Savage.  An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff.  See SWNS story SWLEcarer.  Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant.  After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.
Maureen Townend with Deputy Manager of Flower Park Care Home, Danielle Savage. An 83-year-old care home resident has volunteered to work as a care assistant at her own home to help out staff. See SWNS story SWLEcarer. Maureen Townend expressed to staff at Flower Park Care Home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where she is a resident, how much she would like to be a care assistant. After haggling with carers, the care home finally allowed the caring OAP to work as a volunteer amongst her friends and other residents.

“While she’s doing it she brings a smile to everyone’s faces. She makes the residents smile, she makes the staff smile and she’s making herself happy.

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“For us as a home, it’s nice to see her making her own choices. She’s amazing.

“Some people as an activity would choose to sit and do bingo but for Maureen what she enjoys to do is help others.

“Being busy and useful gives her a sense of purpose.”

Danielle was handing out medication on April 28 when Maureen approached her and said she wanted to be a care assistant.

She said: “I told her carers work very long hours and are on their feet for 12 hours at a time sometimes.

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“I said maybe it’s time for her to be looked after; however, she still wanted to keep busy so I said she could help us out with a volunteering role.

“She was really happy.

“Then I went into the cupboard and got her a uniform out so she felt part of the team, which she absolutely loved.

“She’s had it on every day since then.

“Maureen really steps up to the mark when she’s got her uniform on bless her, she takes pride in what she does.

“She loves going round and socialising with the other residents and giving them cake and cups of tea.

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“Now the other residents are used to her doing it and I think they look forward to that part of the day when she’s helping out.”

Danielle added that when Maureen’s daily duties are taken care of she likes to sit down with a cup of tea and some chocolate.

She said: “We’re all so proud of her. She’s loved by everyone in the care home and she’s a pleasure to have.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.