Carer of the Year: Fiona Mansell

FIONA MANSELL is ‘never too busy to help someone who needs it’, according to her daughter, Erin Mansell, who has nominated her for the Specsavers-sponsored Carer of the Year award.

Fiona has been working as the outreach coordinator for the local charity Carers of Guernsey since May 2018. Erin said that ‘she consistently goes above and beyond with her efforts in her work’.

‘She’s a very caring person, as a mum as well as in her job.’

As an outreach coordinator, ‘she looks after clients who care for others on the island,’ said Erin, ‘some of these carers need care themselves.’

Fiona’s favourite part of her role is helping others.

‘I feel privileged to be meeting people who are maybe the most vulnerable and providing help when they need it,’ she said.

‘I’ve been qualified as a nurse for a long time and I can use these skills to help support carers. In many different situations, these skills have helped me to be empathetic and to listen to others. A very important part of my job is listening.’

Erin describes how Fiona genuinely cares about her clients.

‘She goes out of her way to help people, for example visiting them or their partners if they are in hospital.

‘I have seen her work late hours to make sure her clients are well cared for and she adds a personal touch to her service.’