My Journey

When I look back, I realise just how much of an influence my mum had on me. She was always the one helping neighbours in need, checking in on the elderly who lived alone, and every Saturday she would drive round and pick a few neighbours up, take them to chapel, and drop them safely home afterwards. Over the years she built so many beautiful relationships. People simply adored her. She made them laugh, she made them feel cared for, and for some, she became like the daughter they never had.

When my mum passed away suddenly, I felt such a strong pull to honour her memory and carry on what she started. I wanted to live out that same kindness and compassion she showed so naturally. That’s when I began volunteering in the local community. Every moment reminded me of her and the joy she found in helping others.

I went on to volunteer as a befriender with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland. The training was thorough — first aid with the British Heart Foundation, wheelchair handling, roles and boundaries, condition awareness, and plenty of company policies and procedures too. It gave me the confidence I needed to step into this new role.

Not long after, my co-ordinator called to say she’d found a match for me. That’s when I met a wonderful, positive, spiritual lady who lived with respiratory issues. We were paired based our personalities, interests, and lifestyle — and when we first met in early 2014, we instantly clicked. What started out as two hours every second week quickly grew into 2–4 hours every week. We travelled around to debates on the referendum, went to the cinema and theatre, and even had a few overnight trips to get away. She loved her food — so if we weren’t cooking up a storm together in the kitchen, we were ordering in or trying out her latest restaurant of choice. What started as volunteering became a truly special friendship.

Then, in March 2022, my dad suffered a major stroke. Overnight, life changed. He was left with weakness down his left-hand side and suddenly became disabled. At the time, I was working long hours in a stressful job, juggling my role as both Account Manager and Compliance Manager. It was exhausting. When Dad had his stroke, everything shifted.

I found it impossible to give both my dad and my job the attention they needed. It wasn’t a hard decision — I knew my dad needed me and I knew I needed a change.

When Dad first came out of hospital, he received care at home for a few weeks. Speaking with his carers really struck me. They genuinely loved their work and it showed. That planted the seed for me. I’d never been a carer before, but I knew it was the right path. I applied — and within a few months, I was starting my new role in care.

In October 2024, my befriender sadly passed away. Then, in April 2025, I lost my dad. My heart is broken, but I’m forever grateful. Grateful to have been in a position to take that leap to care for my dad, and grateful for the years I shared with my friend. Both of them changed me in so many ways, and I know I’m a better person for it.

It’s their lives — along with the example my mum set — inspired me to create The Kinfolk Company. For me, this isn’t just a job. It’s personal. It’s about carrying forward the love, the laughter, and the genuine connections that have shaped my life.