Beyond the Job: moments that happen off the clock
Our colleagues are pretty special. Not just because of the brilliant work they do during their shifts, but because of who they are when the shift ends. Beyond the Job is a series of stories from across Wellgate that celebrates exactly that. The moments, connections, and everyday acts that happen off the clock but say everything about the kind of people we're lucky to have in our team.
This month's story comes from Ruth Rushton, Club Rep at Wade Court.
I genuinely mean it when I say we have a brilliant team here at Wade Court. Everyone gets on, looks out for each other, and most importantly, has a proper laugh together. And I think that matters more than people sometimes realise. When colleagues actually like each other, it shows. The people we support feel it, the atmosphere in the service feels it, and the work is simply better for it.
We've got proof of just how close-knit we are, and it comes courtesy of a holiday coincidence, a music bar in Tenerife, and a very enthusiastic Boy George.
Our night staff Tom and day staff Cath discovered they'd both booked holidays at the same time, in resorts just down the road from each other. Rather than hoping they wouldn't bump into each other at the poolside buffet, they did what any great colleagues would do. They arranged a night out. Cue lots of laughs in a lively music bar, where the main act, Boy George himself, took quite a shine to our Tom.
Cath, Tom and his partner in the middle
The fact that two colleagues from different shifts chose to spend their time off together says everything about the culture we've built here. Work friendships that stretch beyond the rota are the sign of a team that genuinely cares about each other.
The faces behind the fitness
Here in Kidsgrove we're lucky to have easy access to some great gyms and fitness classes, and a few of our tenants have been working hard on their fitness and weight loss goals. But behind every good gym session is a great support network, and that's where Lisa and Dani come in.
Dani and Lisa from Wade Court
Both are members at NG2 Fitness, the same gym as some of our tenants. They go in their own time, working on their own personal goals, but when their sessions overlap, they're right there alongside them, encouraging, supporting, and making the whole thing feel a lot less daunting. That's not in the job description. That's just who they are.
A team that trains together, stays together. We're incredibly lucky to have such dedicated and inspiring colleagues leading the way.
Do you have a Beyond the Job moment to share? We'd love to hear from our Club Reps across Wellgate. Get in touch with Ash, our Club Director, and your story could feature in a future update.