Four colleagues at two Castleford care homes are celebrating a combined 75 years’ service after dedicating up to two decades of their careers to supporting local people with complex care needs.

Working across nursing, care, management and activities, at Fairburn Vale and Fairburn Mews care homes they say it's the relationships they've built with residents, families, and colleagues that have kept them in their roles for so many years.

At Fairburn Vale, Stacy Firth (Health Care Assistant) and Lynn Jackson (Unit Manager) are each celebrating 20 years’ service.

They’re joined by Julie Schofield (Unit Manager) at Fairburn Mews, who is also celebrating 20 years, and Beverly Blythe (Activities Team Leader), marking 15 years at the home.

placeholder image — Julie and Bev, Stacy and Lynn

Lynn joined Exemplar Health Care in 2006, having started her career in care and trained as a nurse before joining Fairburn Vale.

She has since progressed to Unit Manager.

“I never imagined I’d still be here 20 years later, but I really enjoy my role,” she said.

“I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with the people we support, their families and my colleagues.”

Julie Schofield (Unit Manager) at Fairburn Mews, who is also celebrating 20 years, and Beverly Blythe (Activities Team Leader), marking 15 years at the home.

Stacy Firth has also worked at Fairburn Vale for 20 years and says it’s the opportunity to support people to live fulfilling lives has kept her motivated throughout her career.

She said: “The moments that stay with me most are seeing people achieve personal goals they, or others, thought might not be possible.

“Being part of those journeys is both inspiring and humbling.”

At Fairburn Mews, Beverly Blythe’s decision to join the home 15 years ago was personal – Huntington’s disease runs in her family, and after genetic testing confirmed she didn’t carry the gene, supporting people living with the condition felt like a chance to give something back.

At Fairburn Vale, Stacy Firth (Health Care Assistant) and Lynn Jackson (Unit Manager) are each celebrating 20 years’ service.

She joined as a Care Assistant before moving into the Activities Team and has led the team for around a decade.

One experience that has stayed with her involved supporting a lifelong Newcastle United living with Huntington’s disease.

After months of gradually building his confidence through shorter trips, the team supported him to visit St James’ Park.

“Whenever I’m asked where I see myself in five years’ time, my answer is always exactly where I am now,” Beverly said.

“This is where I’m meant to be.”

Julie Schofield, Unit Manager, is also celebrating 20 years with Exemplar Health Care.

After working as a Shop Manager in retail, Julie joined Fairburn Mews as a Health Care Assistant when the home opened in 2006.

Encouraged by colleagues, she later retrained as a Nurse before progressing into her current leadership role.

"I'd always been interested in nursing but thought I was too old to become a Nurse," she said.

"However, my colleagues encouraged me to consider retraining, and after doing some research, I applied."

Julie says one of the most rewarding parts of her role is helping to make a positive difference to people’s lives every day.

"For those thinking of switching careers later in life, do it. It's incredibly rewarding to pursue a dream I've had all my life. This is proof that age really is just a number."

Katie Leonard, Home Manager at Fairburn Vale, said: "Having colleagues who've been here for 15 and 20 years creates real continuity for residents and families.

"They know the home, they know the people, and they understand what matters to them. That's something you simply can't replace.”