Christmas is a time for family, for tradition and celebration. At CarePlanner we have a tradition of our own: the 12 Carers of Christmas is about celebrating home carers for the amazing work they do year round. While health care is about keeping people alive, social care is about keeping people living their best lives. Our 12 carers are uplifting examples of the power and purpose of home care, and show how critical and valuable a service it is for all of our communities.

Our fifth carer of Christmas is Rowenna Macormac of Tavy Care Services. A woman of many talents, Rowenna first started working in care in 2019, alongside managing her own business Tavistock Hypnotherapy. Rowenna draws on her multifaceted skill set to provide a style of care that is uniquely hers for both her service users, and when the situation calls for it, her colleagues.

“Rowenna has given up a huge amount of her own time doing one to one sessions with staff,” says Janine, managing director at Tavy Care. “Supporting them to manage a variety of mental and emotional difficulties, especially during the pandemic.”

The pandemic continues to make home care as demanding to provide as it is essential to receive. The strains of these circumstances have understandably pushed thousands of carers close to breaking point. Rowenna recognised the symptoms of mental and emotional fatigue in her teammates, and decided to take action.

“Without the support of Rowenna around our mental health and wellbeing during this period I really believe that we would all be in a much worse place,” says Janine. “The kindness, patience and the giving up of her free time to support our team with this deserves recognition. We will be forever grateful to be lucky enough to have such an amazing, multi-talented member of our team.”

Rowenna has helped all 60 of the staff at Tavy Care with their mental health over the pandemic. The sessions can be group or one to one, depending on the needs and comfort of the people involved. Rowenna is as person-centred in her approach to mental health support as she is to care; something that shines through in the interactions she has with Tavy Care’s service users.

Rowenna Macormac Profile

Rowenna has helped all 60 of the staff at Tavy Care with their mental health over the pandemic. The sessions can be group or one to one, depending on the needs and comfort of the people involved. Rowenna is as person-centred in her approach to mental health support as she is to care; something that shines through in the interactions she has with Tavy Care’s service users.

A lot of the service users with Tavy Care have complex and life limiting conditions. Rowenna’s perceptive eye and open heart help her to provide deeply personal and meaningful care. One of her service users, who had terminal cancer, said: “Seeing Rowenna and hearing her beautiful singing voice makes my day, my days would be darker without her coming.”

“Seeing Rowenna and hearing her beautiful singing voice makes my day, my days would be darker without her coming.”

Rowenna has also, alongside her colleague Charlotte, created the blog Diary of a Carer. Rowenna and Charlotte built this page so carers can share their experiences, achievements and trials with each other. It is an invaluable digital community for people who are giving everything they have to provide community care. It also helps give the public a deeper insight into the realities of providing care and the challenges carers face.

Providing care takes skill, and the more skills you have, the more options you have when it comes to personalising care. Rowenna draws upon her deep well of talents, be they psychological, personal or creative, to help build connections with people through her care. Whether it is with her service users, her colleagues or carers online, Rowenna continues to build bridges and bring joy to everyone with whom she interacts.

Read about our other carers of Christmas here.