A Life of Care: Celebrating Rachael’s Retirement

“To work in care, you have to care, it’s not just a job. It’s people’s lives.”

After many years of dedication, compassion, and service, Rachael our Assistant Registered Manager has now retired from Oasis. Her journey with us has been nothing short of extraordinary, from being here when the very first client walked through the door, to shaping Oasis into the caring, community-driven home it is today.

With over four decades of frontline experience in care, youth justice, and community-led intervention, Rachael’s impact stretches across Derby and beyond. This interview captures her story, and we now celebrate not only her achievements, but also the new chapter she enters in retirement.

Q: How did you first get into care?

Rachael: I’ve been in care since I was 16. I started volunteering at a nursery in a community center, back then you could just walk in and help. It was at the Pakistani Community Centre in Derby. A friend of mine worked there and they were short-staffed, so I jumped in. That was the start.From there, I joined the city council, worked in admin for a while, and later became an Educational Welfare Officer in the early ’90s. I did that for years, working with kids who were out of school or at risk. I’ve always wanted to help people.

Q: Your work extends far beyond traditional care roles. Can you tell us about that?

Rachael: Yes. After the tragic death of my nephew in 2008, I started a mentoring organisation called Derby City Guns Advisory Group. We worked with young people involved in gangs and violence, many of whom wanted a way out.We partnered with the police, the courts, even doctors from London who worked with families affected by shootings and stabbings. We did powerful work, even brought young gang members into the courtroom to show them the consequences of their choices.

Q: Are there any success stories that stand out from that time?

Rachael: Absolutely. I mentored a young girl who had been told by her school she wouldn’t amount to anything. She was bright, really bright, but life at home was tough. Her family was breaking down, she was bouncing between places.I mentored her every week for three years. She finished school with A’s. Then she went on to work for the BBC, made a documentary about domestic violence, and even won awards. She still keeps in touch. That’s a success story I carry in my heart.

Q: How did you come to Oasis?

Rachael: After working with the homeless and supporting people with mental health challenges, that service closed down. Around that time, Oasis was opening. I came on board from the start, I was here when the first client walked through the door.It’s been a long journey, but Oasis has become part of my story.

Q: What motivates you in this work?

Rachael: I love helping people. If something isn’t right and I can make it better, that’s what drives me. You’ve got to treat people like your own.You can’t work in care unless you care. It’s not a job you clock in and out of. You’re dealing with someone’s child, someone’s brother, someone’s mum.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in care?

Rachael: Not taking it home. It’s hard to switch off when you’ve spent the day with someone who says they don’t want to be here anymore. You go home thinking: Did I do enough? Did I say the right thing?It’s emotionally heavy work, and you always carry it a little. I try to manage it, I go to the gym, cook, read my Bible, and spend time with my family. But it’s still there in the back of your mind.

Q: What advice would you give someone thinking about joining care?

Rachael: Think carefully. You need to train, prepare yourself emotionally, and really understand what you’re walking into. It’s not something you can leave at the door, but it is a job that can be really rewarding at the end of the day.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Oasis?

Rachael: The clients. The progress, the little wins, the laughs, those moments make it worthwhile.One of the clients who left still keeps in touch. She had a baby recently and messaged me to tell me. That was emotional. She thought nobody would care after she left, but I do. And that’s what matters to me.

Q: What makes Oasis special to you?

Rachael: It’s a Black-led organisation, and that matters to me. It feels familiar. There’s a sense of shared experience, of being understood without having to explain everything.And even with all the challenges, I still find connection here. The work, the people, it’s been part of my purpose.

Q: Any final thoughts you’d want people to know?

Rachael: If you’re coming into care, come in with heart. It’s not just a job. It’s people’s lives. If you’re not willing to give your best, then this isn’t the place for you.But if you care, really care, you’ll change lives. And they’ll change yours too.

Rachael’s journey has been one of love, courage, and compassion. She has touched countless lives with her kindness and left an indelible mark on everyone at Oasis.

As she steps into retirement, we celebrate her incredible legacy and thank her for all the years of care, wisdom, and joy she has shared. Though we will miss her dearly, her spirit will always remain part of Oasis.

With heartfelt gratitude, we wish Rachael nothing but happiness, peace, and love in this next chapter of her life.