I’ve lived all over this area, currently I’m on Division Road – the street that leads to the Boneyard!
I’m one of 6 kids, although there’s another 3 from my Mums first marriage. Mum left us when we were little and me Dad brought us up. They live all over Hull, but lots are in this area, one sister, is two doors up. Having a strong community of people to help and be friendly good neighbours is really important.
I’m part of the people who do the Christmas lights. We’ve been doing them since lockdown. My sister Chrissy and Sarah opposite started it all. It’s just grown and grown. We even have a memorial tree where people come and put baubles on for those they’ve lost. We started it to raise morale, now people bring their kids to see the lights!
I was a carer in Somerville Care Home on Boulevard for 16 years. I guess lots of loss and grief piled up and it overwhelmed me. I couldn’t cope. Thankfully all my family and neighbours are helping me to find Pat again – the fun Pat that liked to laugh. The Pat who falls off her stool in the pub!
I like helping people. I will just help or if people look like they need help I will offer it. But slowly all the people I’ve cared for passed away. Then one lady in particular went too and I just couldn’t cope. I couldn’t clear out bedrooms and people’s things anymore. I was just so sad. I got down and depressed. Everything got on top of me. I couldn’t bear the thought of caring for anyone again. My manager has been brilliant and offered lots of help, but I had to leave. I’m good at me job, looking after, listening, understanding Dementia, washing and feeding, holding people’s hands as they take their last breaths and getting them ready for the undertaker.
I’ve got arthritis in my feet and being on them 12 hours a day was bad. So there was pain on top of pain. I got lonely, I live on my own and got really fed up, there was no one to vent to. All of it made me think I’m going to be one of those people in a care home – all alone one day. I just got lower and lower. My work had a huge emotional toll on me. But more recently I wake up and think I’m going to get up and get a shower and get on. I’m putting myself back together. I don’t want to go back, I’m lighter. I’m doing odd things for the care home, helping people go for appointments and do their shopping. I can’t cope doing nothing. I’m a grafter. I can’t stand doing nothing. It also means I’m earning a bit too.
I love me dog Lilo. She gives me so much love, she understands more than most humans. She sleeps on me and I don’t mind that she snores – I tell her I got rid of a boyfriend because he snored! But not her, she can stay. She’s someone who listens. She’s like the man I met on a bench in town once. He noticed how I looked, he was a stranger but he sat and listened and was interested. I said I was really grateful to talk, and he said he was happy to listen – bear the burden. I was there for two hours! I think talking to a stranger is often easier. I think if we could all just listen and let people talk – let them share their emotions that would be the best way.
