Pollokshields resident supporting the over 60s talks about starting her new job during lockdown

This was the reality of the situation facing Kate Hodder, 50, from Pollokshields.

In April Kate commenced her strange ‘start’ with McCarthy and Stone from home via Skype, e-mail and online learning. She was then positioned as stand-in house manager at Ashwood Court, a McCarthy and Stone Retirement Living development in Paisley where she undertook on-the job training covering for the current House Manager whilst she was furloughed.

“I always knew there was someone at the other end of the phone to support me and to get advice from when I needed it. I suppose you could say it was being thrown in at the deep end but I engulfed the challenge,” says Kate.

“All of the homeowners were classed as being in the ‘vulnerable group’ as set out by the government, although actually a lot of them are very fit and healthy. Regardless, it was incredibly important that they had someone to turn to if they needed anything or needed advice about what to do. Many would come to my office door, ‘observing the 2-metre rule’, for a daily chat.”

She continues, “I felt lucky that I was still able to start my new employment when so many people around the country were being furloughed, and here I was starting a brand new, exciting role. McCarthy and Stone were brilliant in that sense and my Area Relief Manager, Elizabeth Combe, was incredibly supportive to me then and continues to be now.”

Kate would help by posting letters, fetching groceries, contacting the chemist and other local amenities, popping deliveries to their doors, liaising with family members and offering general guidance - anything that was needed to help keep the residents safe.

In her new role, she was faced with the passing of three of the residents, all unrelated to Covid-19. This was a very sad time for all at Ashwood Court.

“It was heart-breaking,” says Kate. “But I supported as best I could and in one situation special allowances were made given the tragic circumstances for the family to use the guest suite so they could travel up from Lincolnshire to support their ‘loved one.’ Dealing with the virus is one thing but when life throws up unexpected moments and tragedy like this, people still need that support and contact to help them through, so I was able to do that.”

Kate moved to Pollokshields from Kent with her partner and two girls just a year and a half ago. Her background is public house management as well as childcare and community care, so the role of House Manager she saw as a good opportunity that encompassed all her transferable skills. It also meant she could be closer to one of her sisters who relocated to Scotland some thirty years ago.

Lockdown was no match for Kate and having waited sometime now for Merchants Gate, a McCarthy and Stone Retirement Living development in Pollokshields which had been under construction but temporarily paused due to the pandemic, she now took up her position as House Manager there. She welcomed new homeowners in September. A chance to put her own stamp on things Kate was excited to meet some of the new homeowners who had come out of lockdown now restrictions had eased and were looking forward to a fresh start somewhere new.

“Our new residents have been settling in well,” says Kate. “They’re pleased to move to an environment where they have so much to explore and enjoy on their doorstep – Maxwell Park and Pollok Country Park that boasts some 361 acres and is well known for its gardens, woodland walks, allotments and various cycle routes, not forgetting the award-winning fold of Highland cattle, Pollok House and the Burrell Collection. There’s plenty of open space and greenery, and all the local amenities, shops and cafes are within easy access. With more lockdowns now in force, it’s given many of them reassurance that there is plenty there for them to explore, walks to enjoy and the ability to get outside safely.”

Kate takes a keen interest in mental health and wellbeing and is hoping she can bring a lot of her experience in this to Merchants Gate.

She continues: “What I’m looking forward to most is being able to plan activities, events and exercise classes and being able to utilise our fantastic communal lounge. Weekly coffee mornings and organised walks or maybe a cycle ride so new residents can really get to know the area are all things I will be setting up when the rules allow. It’s so important to foster a sense of community at a new development like this, and anything I can do to encourage an active retirement, and which helps them to feel at home and at ease is part of this. I suppose you could say this is the main target I’ve set myself over the coming months and as we get nearer to Christmas.”

For those that have been able to make the move, and to downsize to one of the low maintenance apartments at Merchants Gate, they have benefitted from the government’s stamp duty relief which has been a welcome boost to many retirees in Pollokshields.

“The moving process is quite straight forward and at McCarthy and Stone we do everything we can to make this as smooth as possible,” says Kate. “Even when homeowners have struggled – for example one lady ordered a new settee for her apartment but Covid meant delays to her order so when she moved in her settee still hadn’t arrived so I lent her a cosy armchair from the communal lounge so she still had something comfortable to sit on in the meantime. Likewise, a number of new resident’s love to cycle so we have installed a bike rack in the mobility scooter store for them, so they always have somewhere to store their cycle after a day exploring. It’s the little things you can do which as a House Manager make all the difference, I think. Every homeowner is unique, and I aim to make each and every one welcome.”

Located on Springkell Avenue, Merchants Gate in Pollokshields has been exclusively designed for those aged 60 and over and compromises a selection of one and two bedroom private apartments. An open-plan fitted kitchen with integrated Neff appliances is a key feature in each individual property. There is also a communal lounge for residents to socialise, guest suite and landscaped gardens; where Kate, the House Manager, oversees the development day-to-day. Prices start from £189,000.

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