BEM for Chichester manager who single-handedly cared for elderly residents during lockdown

Jackie Woollett, a house manager at sheltered accommodation provider Abbeyfield Chichester, was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to care home residents.

She said was ‘amazed’ by the award.

Jackie usually manages Oakshade, one of the two sheltered accommodation sites run by Abbeyfield Chichester, alongside a deputy house manager.

But when the pandemic hit, the deputy manager was recovering from an operation.

All domestic staff who would normally help with cleaning, laundry and general support had been sent home on full pay to reduce footfall and protect residents.

The charity considered bringing in agency staff to help out on a weekly basis, but feared this could increase the risk to residents.

Jackie decided she could not leave her residents in the hands of strangers and, after leaving her beloved dog Kye with a friend, moved into Oakshade until further notice.

For several months, Jackie planned and shopped online for supplies, cooked, cleared, cleaned, did laundry, liaised with residents’ families, devised activities to break the boredom and even took on some hairdressing for residents.

“An amazing feat and so well deserving of her British Empire Medal,” an Abbeyfield Chichester spokesman said.