Angela Brooker has worked at Doveridge Care Home, which forms part of Doveleigh Care Limited, in Colyton since 1983.

On Thursday 5th October, staff residents and Angela's family celebrated her 40th anniversary at the care home by holding a party. Angela thought she was going to work in the afternoon, but instead was taken to the local town hall in Colyton.

Angela has been completely devoted to her role and has an incredible reputation amongst Doveleigh Care Ltd, as well as in the wider care sector. The Directors and manager of Doveridge wanted to mark this amazing achievement by surprising Angela with a party.

Angela came to work at Doveridge as a carer at the age of 26 years old. She said: “I will stay at Doveridge as long as I can. I feel it’s like a second home, so as long as I can care for the residents and make them happy I will stay.”

“I was thrilled to bits but a bit overwhelmed at first as I was well and truly surprised. I felt really honoured that everyone would go that far for me. Some of the residents and staff who were able to attend were pleased to join Angela. Our cooks at Doveridge prepared a wonderful buffet which had a selection of traditional party food which is one of Angela’s favourites. They had also made a Victoria sponge cake. We also arranged some live music, performed by Scott Philips, which had many of the residents and staff on their feet, dancing along. Mr Keith Mills, Director of Doveleigh Care, presented Angela with some lovely flowers and gifts as a Thank you for all her hard work and commitment over the past 40 years. When Keith asked Angela what she would like as a gift she said she would like a donation to her chosen charity “Nunsford Nutters Carnival Club.”

Keith happily honoured her wish and donated £500 pounds to them. Angela was over the moon with this donation as this charity is very close to her heart.

Liz Mills (Director of Doveleigh Care Limited) “You are the reason we bought Doveridge. You set the scene of the kind of care I wanted to provide. Your warmth and love for your residents was limitless. You were and still are amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there and being you. Lots of love.”