Former care home resident returns to home as a volunteer

A 76-year old who moved into a care home for respite care, after spiralling into a deep depression after losing her husband, has now returned to the home to help out as a volunteer.

Margaret McDougall stayed at Longlands Care Home in Middlesbrough, for over two months in November last year, after her husband of 58 years, died.

Shaken by his death, Ms McDougall struggled with her mental health and just when she was about to hit rock bottom, it was suggested she would benefit from going into a care home for respite care.

She said: “After Eric’s death I struggled living on my own in a big house and couldn’t focus on anything.

“I used to play bingo seven days a week, but I stopped that, and became a shadow of my own self.”

She was offered a room at Longlands and found it made a massive difference to her life.

She added: “I knew from the moment I arrived that this was the right place for me: I felt the weight of the world had been lifted my shoulders.

“I remember coming down for breakfast after my first night and instantly making friends with the other residents and staff.

“I was able to share what had happened to me and there were others who had been in the same position, so it become like a form of counselling for me.”

To prepare her for her return home, staff suggested she increased the time she spent alone in her room at Longlands, starting at one hour and then increasing this each day.

She explains: “That meant when I was ready to return home, I had the coping strategies in place and it has worked because I am now in a much better place mentally and whilst I will never forget Eric and the wonderful memories we had together, I know I need to move on.

“I have returned to the bingo, go shopping by myself, spend time with my family and now I am coming back to Longlands as volunteer, and I can’t wait.

“It’s just like a hotel in there; nothing is too much trouble for the staff, and I am looking forward to being able to give a little something back by doing a few little jobs and spending my time chatting with the residents.”

Tina Kendall, manager of Longlands, said: “It is very unusual for someone who lived in a care home to leave and then return as a volunteer but in Margaret’s case, we couldn’t think of anyone better.

“The effect she had on staff and residents whilst she was here was incredible, so it will be wonderful for everyone at Longlands to have her around again.”

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