Sparks began to fly when Norman and Christine Edge met at Lanark station in the late 1950s. Norman, a fireman who worked in the steam engine room, would even swap shifts to ensure he was on the 07:53 from Lanark to Glasgow so he could see Christine, a Kirkfieldbank girl and secretary, every day.

As feelings gathered unstoppable momentum, the couple wed in the Royal Oak Hotel, Lanark, in 1962 and have enjoyed a long and happy marriage.

Health challenges have taken their toll in recent years. Yet Christine, 84, explained how their close bond has endured like steel – galvanised by the support of the local Care at Home workforce.

“Norman is now 89 and living with dementia, and my mobility is restricted, just by general wear and tear,” explained Christine. “We’ve always enjoyed a really active life but had to move from our home in Kirkfieldbank, where we raised our family, to more suitable accommodation in recent years.

“Norman’s condition is such that he might otherwise need care in a hospital or care home setting – if it wasn’t for the work and compassion of the home care staff who support us daily.”

The Care at Home service provides essential support to enable people to live as independently as possible in their own homes. This often involves helping a person wash, dress, or get ready for bed. Some staff are also trained to give more personal assistance, such as help with medication.

Christine added: “It’s not just practical help. Health challenges can come with worry and anxiety. The support our carers offer – with their gentle demeanour and solid presence – brings a sense of calm and reassurance.

“Our carers, like James, are dedicated and highly professional but always make time to chat with us, like family. They are all amazing.” And there’s plenty to blether about . . .

Norman and Christine’s mutual love of tending their garden in Kirkfieldbank not only made it the focal point of the community, but the spectacular array of Clyde Valley flora drew thousands of visitors over the years. The couple’s green thumbs even became a feature in an episode of The Beechgrove Garden in 1999. After his early career in the engine room, Norman worked as a train driver for 50 years. He ended his career with Virgin, where he drove the east line high-speed trains. On his final shift, from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, Christine travelled up to Aberdeen and stayed overnight so she could sit with him in the cab on the trip back south – later admitting she had never been so scared in her life!

The couple has two children, Maureen and David, as well as two adored grandchildren, Abby, Lauren and great grandson, Jude.

The positive impact home carers have on people’s lives has come into sharp focus following a major recruitment drive by South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to further expand its Care at Home service.

Maureen said: “I’m not sure if the home carers realise the true extent of the impact their work has. They are all so self-effacing and focused on the task at hand in their working day.

“But I know my Mum and Dad being able to stay together at home – after the incredible life adventure they’ve shared – means the absolute world to them, as it does for us.”

Labour of Love

James McNulty has worked in the care sector for three decades, joining the Care at Home service seven years ago. “It’s the best job in the world, as far as I’m concerned,” said James.

“The rapport you build up with service users is amazing. I’m not allowed to leave Christine and Norman’s house without having a sweet or biscuit. I walk between service users’ homes – which is a saving grace for my waistline!”

James added: “Service users are fascinating to talk to, as Norman and Christine’s case attests. But it is also wonderful to feel that you are making a difference in their lives.”

Sharon Graham, Community Support Coordinator for the Care at Home service in Clydesdale, said: “It is very rewarding and satisfying to know that hard work pays off and you can do anything you put your mind to. We have a fantastic team ethos here. There’s always someone to speak to for advice, support, or just a blether about your day.”

Home First

Care at Home staff play a vital role in the Partnership’s overall Home First ethos. Home First means that people can be cared for at home (or as close to home as possible) and aims to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. If someone does need to come into hospital, the goal is to get them back home or into a community setting as soon as possible.

A key practical aim is to provide care that’s ‘just right’ for a person, rather than ‘too much’ or ‘too little’. Various techniques are applied to make this a reality, including assessing a person in a familiar setting, rather than in a hospital, which can be less stressful. This helps staff get a much more accurate picture of the care a person needs. This is crucial as it ensures the right amount of care is given to keep individuals as independent as possible.

Secret Ingredients of Service’s Top Marks

Christine and Norman’s story follows closely on the heels of a glowing report by the Care Inspectorate of the South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Care at Home service in Clydesdale.

The HSCP’s Care at Home service in Clydesdale was graded ‘very good’ across all categories, including well-being support, team ethos, care planning, and leadership.

Service users and their families also offered very positive feedback about the care and support they receive, with staff described as ‘professional,’ ‘kind,’ and ‘compassionate.’

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, recently visited Christine and Norman along with staff members James and Sharon.

“The Care Inspectorate report is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and compassion of our Care at Home team in Clydesdale and the importance of our overall Home First approach.

“In chatting with Christine and Norman, what really resonated was the positive impact our staff have on people’s lives – and that’s very much personified by this wonderful couple’s experience.

“James and Sharon are great examples of what we look for in our staff, and what we have right across the HSCP’s Care at Home teams in Clydesdale and South Lanarkshire – people who are attentive, conscientious, and hard-working in carrying out their job, often under challenging circumstances, while also genuinely gaining fulfilment from making a tangible difference in the lives of the people they care for. “It is also a powerful reminder of how fulfilling working in social care can be and how we should value all staff across our health and social care services.”