Marking a Milestone: Nicola Celebrates 30 Years at Eckington Court

This year, we’re proud to celebrate a very special milestone at Eckington Court Nursing Home in Derbyshire: Nicola Downs, one of our longest-serving care assistants, has reached an incredible 30 years of service.

Nicola first joined the Eckington team in 1995. Reflecting on her early days, she recalls, ‘I felt very out of my depth. But looking back, it shaped the carer I’ve become today.’

It was a friend already working at the home who first encouraged Nicola to apply. What began as a practical decision- ‘The hours were good, and the set rota meant I could organise my time’, soon became much more than just a job. ‘The atmosphere here is what made me stay,’ she says.

Over the years, Nicola has remained dedicated to her role as a care assistant, always prioritising time spent with residents. Although she briefly tried her hand at a senior position, she found that the extra responsibilities pulled her away from what she loved most: direct care. ‘I didn’t have as much interaction with the residents, and that’s what I really enjoy - so I returned to the role that felt right for me.’

When asked what she enjoys most about the job, her answer is straightforward: ‘The residents, and the banter with them and my colleagues.’

Nicola’s loyalty and commitment haven’t gone unnoticed. Reaching 30 years of continuous service is an outstanding achievement, and one she’s rightly proud of. She’s seen many changes over the years, but her passion for care has remained the same. ‘I’ve had such a ball for most of it,’ she says. ‘Plenty of laughs and tears. I’ve seen lots of colleagues come and go, and made many great friends along the way.’

For those just starting out in the care profession, Nicola offers honest advice: ‘Make sure it’s what you really want to do. Care work is rewarding, but it’s also hard, emotionally demanding, and not for everyone. If you’re in care, it should be because your heart is in it.’

She also adds a gentle reminder about the realities of the job: ‘It’s not all tea and chatting. In fact, it’s rarely that. It’s a challenging role - but one that can be incredibly fulfilling.’

Trudy Godley, Home Manager at the home said ‘Nicola, your warmth, dedication, and compassion over the years, has touched the lives of so many - our residents, their families, and all of us who’ve had the pleasure of working alongside you. You’ve brought not just care, but heart and humanity to everything you do. We are incredibly lucky and proud to have you as part of the Eckington Court family. Thank you for everything - here’s to celebrating this amazing milestone with you.’

Here’s to 30 years of care, kindness, and commitment. Congratulations, Nicola!

If you’re interested in a rewarding role as a carer and you’re looking to make a real difference, take a look at our current vacancies here. Alternatively, if you’d like to find out more about our award-winning care homes and the specialist care types that we provide, you can browse all 23 of our homes here and find out more about the work we do.