Hello Me,

Did you miss Me? Because I’ve missed you, SO glad your back!

What do I mean? Let me explain. But I need to go back a bit, sorry if it’s boring, I also want to take you along with me into the next chapter of my life………it’s up’s, hopefully no low’s, how I/we get there, it’s like a journey…… and it’s looking exciting!

I grew up and live in a lovey part of the world, Devon, UK, a stones throw from Dartmoor.

This time last year I owned and run a care company, we had a really good name, really good loyal staff, some lovely clients, I have a very good wage, but because of several reasons out of my control, I had to sell it. I loved what we did. We mainly looked after older people in their own homes, but not exclusively older people. I have worked in care homes, but I loved seeing people in their own home, seeing what made them…them!

Up to that point, I had worked in care for 34/35 years, before that in catering for 12 or so years mainly a 5 star hotel, then a company who had the same rating, but more outside catering. All came crashing down in the recession in the late 90’s…..and 2 months after I had gone back to work after I had broken my back after a fall from a horse on Dartmoor, Devon……and had to walk back 2.5 miles home! Hay Hoo, all fine now.

I started the company in 2005 then my mother came on board a few months later. I didn’t mind, she loved doing paperwork, I loathed it, so crack on! She did most of the books / accounting, I was more hands-on doing the training, care, reviews etc. She died in October 2016 after a short illness which left me as sole owner. sole director, manager and in care you have someone as nominated individual…..I was that too! This is at the same time as raising two son’s on my own since 2003. I was a bit busy!!

Leap forward to early May last year, and because of a few things that had come to light after my mothers death and throw in Covid……and the chap I had got in as manager decided to move on with a couple of weeks notice, also loosing 2 key members of my office staff, I had no choice but to sell to keep everyone safe. The staff keep their jobs and clients keep all their care needs with the care staff they know and trust. Someone had called into my office September 2022 and wanted to buy me out. We stayed in touch, so when it time to sell, I asked them if they still wanted to buy it. I stayed on for 3 months to help with the transition, then got made redundant (for a second time, but 30 years apart)

At the same time we had to move house as our landlord was selling of several of the houses he had, it took some time, but we did find somewhere eventually!

I took a few weeks off to decide what it was I wanted to do, a new start and different direction maybe?! I really didn’t want to stay in care if possible, but I didn’t know what. I’ll put up some photo’s of the places I like to go with the dogs and think. Lots of open space to think.

I did get a temp job for the run up to Christmas. I’ve helped my sister out now and then when she’s needed help on an outside catering event. I have applied for quite a few jobs now, most to do with the care sector, hospitals, etc I had a couple of interviews, but nothing has come of it. I did think of doing some house sitting locally but it’s not regular work which I need, got bills like everyone else!

Because I’m over 50……not going to say how old I am, you don’t as ladies their age!! Tee, hee!! The job centre had put me in touch with a company to ‘help’ me. They are basically work coaches, that were I met Tamsen.

Funny how life works! She asked me to send her my CV. Three weeks later she asked if I would go into business with her!

I had been finding everything just to much, not able to pay my rent, eat and bills…..in tears at the drop of a hat. I was in a very low place, not like me at all. I think it was having a lot of knowledge which I wasn’t using and it just seemed to be that no matter what I went for, I wasn’t getting anywhere, I was getting more down each week and had some very dark days.

Not Now….I’m back baby!! Look out, the lady’s coming through!

I have always been a positive person, I have been confident in my working life so far, taking control of my own future, I don’t think I’m arrogant or conceited, but I know my own worth and what I can do. I have so much energy again, can’t wait to get this off the ground! There is something about Tamsen, you can’t but be taken a long with her…….it’s like a tide of positiveness!!

As she put it, she has had the material and wanted to start a company for a few years, but Covid hit, timing, just bad timing. She didn’t know about running a company as she had never had one before and wanted/needed someone to do that part of it……and she asked me!!

As her job as a part-time work coach, we had to meet up each week for 12 weeks, but we just got a long So well, we meet up when she wasn’t working. Next task was to come up with a name for the company. I think it was about 3 weeks later over a coffee at Buckfast Abbey it came to us (lovely grounds, food in the restaurant looks good, well worth a visit).

“Me, Myself and I Ltd” was born!

I will write more soon.