Chris McDonald is January’s Lucas Love Member of the Month.
Chris has been with Lucas Love Associates for three months now and claims his award as a result of the exceptional feedback he’s received from one of his homes.
Chris is absolutely brilliant. He is a great clean worker. We just love him! You are so lucky to have him in your agency.”
Time for something different
With nearly 30 years of experience as a chef, Chris eventually felt he needed a change.
“I was getting a bit fed up working full-time at the same place permanently and fancied a change. I had no mortgage to pay and just decided I’d try agency and see how it goes and I haven’t looked back,” he said.
“I like going to different places and the challenge of not knowing what you have ahead of you for the day until you arrive. The thanks from the staff and patients when you do a good job makes you feel good.”
A personal connection
Chris has personal experience as well as professional experience with care homes and it’s that connection which motivates him to give the best of himself to his craft.
“My mother-in-law and father-in-law were both in nursing homes, and while unfortunately they have both passed away, it’s nice to give something back.”
The nursing home community
He also appreciates the change in pace, saying that the sense of community is hard to beat.
“Where I was before focused on food production which was fast-paced, and deadlines needed to be met. I find this role is more relaxed and more rewarding. You get something out of it because you know you’re providing a service that they need. Just because they’re in a nursing home, it doesn’t mean that the food doesn’t have to be good quality.”
Giving something back makes you feel good. It’s really cool!”
“A few of the homes that I work in, the staff look forward to you coming in and working your shift because you get a bit of banter with them. Then, they also appreciate the differences to how their usual chef cooks their food. I enjoy working with them. It’s a really good atmosphere.”
Advice for anyone else working in the industry?
Definitely give agency a try. I haven’t looked back. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m sorry I didn’t do it earlier.”
Want to nominate someone?
If you’d like to put someone’s name forward for February, here’s what you can do:
- Gain positive feedback from management or colleagues.
- Nominate a member (or yourself) and include the reason why.
- Nominate someone from within the office (e.g. referring other members to join, little to no hand-backs, picking up a shift at short notice or covering a shift someone had cancelled).
- Send nomination via email to katiem@lucaslovehealthcare.com by Wednesday 19th February.
You don’t have to meet all of the above criteria but these are just some of the things that we consider.
