Carer Adelina ‘Babs’ Somerville is retiring this week from Rumbling Bridge, Balhousie Care Group’s specialist care home in Kinross, Perthshire, after 36 years of providing care to the residents.

Somerville has been a constant at Rumbling Bridge, beginning work as a care assistant on the day the home opened on 5 May 1987.

Reflecting on her time in the job Somerville said: “It’s been a pleasure looking after the residents, and being there for the families. I feel humbled to have cared for their loved ones. I’ve met so many residents over the years and heard their stories. I’ve learned so much from them.”

Somerville explained that the staff in the home have become her extended family: “You’re working with them all the time so they become like another family. You could go around the world twice and you wouldn’t meet such lovely people as they’ve all been, every single one of them.

“It’s a true enough saying, if you find something to do that you love, you’ll never work a day in your life and that’s how I’ve always felt here. It’s a lovely profession. For those thinking about being a carer, treat the residents like you’d treat your own family and, if you have compassion in your heart, it’s hard work but very rewarding.”

Morag Shea, home manager at Balhousie Rumbling Bridge, said: “Babs has been part of Rumbling Bridge for 36 years and to say she’ll be missed by everyone here is an understatement. Babs has compassion and kindness running through her veins and is a wonderful carer to all our residents. She’ll be sorely missed by all of us, but we are delighted for her to be getting to spend more time with her family as she retires. On behalf of all the residents and staff at Rumbling Bridge, we’d like to wish Babs the very happiest of retirements. We’ll miss you, Babs!”  

Now she’s retiring, Somerville is planning to spend more time with her own family, including her grandchildren on whom she dotes. Her daughter, Adele Smart, has many happy childhood memories of visiting Rumbling Bridge over the years with her mother. She said: “I remember watching my mum talk with the residents and care for them in the most gentle and patient way. Mum felt it was important for us to learn from the older generation, learning from their stories and life experiences. I know Mum is retiring with a heavy heart as she will miss her residents, but she hopes to visit them regularly with her grandchildren, Zoe, James and Ozzy.”

On her last shift, the whole Balhousie team presented their departing colleague with flowers, a hamper and a fob watch keepsake of her time at Rumbling Bridge.