“After retiring, I just wanted to do something meaningful rather than staying at home.”
A Career Built on Care
For more than eight years, Janet Crellin has been a familiar and trusted face at Praxis Care’s Balleysleih service. But her passion for supporting others goes back much further, having spent 47 years as an adult mental health nurse in hospital settings, supporting people with a wide range of needs.
“I’ve always loved working with people with learning disabilities,” she explains. “My sister has Down Syndrome and lives with me, so it’s something that’s always been within the family. After retiring from the hospital, a friend mentioned relief work at Praxis Care, and I thought I’d give it a try – I just wanted to do something meaningful rather than staying at home.”
Finding Purpose after Retirement
What began as a few relief shifts has grown into a fulfilling three-day-a-week routine, giving Janet purpose, energy, and a strong sense of connection.
“No matter what you do for the people we support, they’re so grateful. There’s just something endearing about them,” she says.
For Janet, the role has also brought unexpected moments of reconnection. “When I started at the day service, I recognised some of the people I had cared for in hospital – and they recognised me too. That was really special. It felt like coming full circle.”
Her favourite moments often happen outside the walls of the service. “I really enjoy taking the guys out for trips, whether it’s going for a coffee, visiting a local park, or just getting out and about in the community. They love interacting with people, trying new things, and just having fun, and it’s so rewarding to see their faces light up. Every outing is different, and it makes the work feel really special.”
She also credits her colleagues with making Balleysleih such a positive place to work. “We have a good team here. Everyone gels together, it’s a lovely vibe”
Advice for Future Care Workers
Janet’s advice for anyone considering a career in care is straightforward and encouraging: “Just go for it. You either like it or you don’t. You’ve got to be caring, able to take the good with the bad, and have a thick skin. But if you do, it’s incredibly rewarding – seeing the happiness in the people you support makes every day worthwhile.”
Janet’s dedication and warmth shine through in every interaction, and she has no plans to slow down anytime soon. “Every day I get up, I don’t think, ‘Oh, I’ve got to go to work.’ I think, ‘What’s today going to bring?’ It’s always something different, and I just love it.”