Pride of Guernsey: Emilia Fernandes

Emilia has been working as a carer at Le Chateau for 18 years.

Her nominator, Gail Morris, said she was beyond grateful to Emilia for the time she put towards caring for her mother.

‘She went way above what one would normally expect,’ she said.

‘Soon after Christmas (2021) there was a case of Covid in the home, so it was in lockdown. I was worried how my mum would cope without going out each day.

‘When finally the doors were opened again I was flabbergasted by the amazing recovery my mum had made.

‘I could not believe it. She was chirpy and she was walking. It was not only the care she had received that brought these changes, she had a new friend.

‘I really do believe Emilia was the main part of that.’

At one point, her mother had mentioned in passing that she liked having berries in the morning. The next day, there was a huge bowl of them waiting for her.

‘She felt cared for, that she had company. Emilia was not pandering to her. They were friends.

‘My mum felt like she belonged there,’ said Ms Morris, also praising her honesty in communication over her mother’s health.

‘She does this all out of dedication to her job and the kindness of her heart. She doesn’t expect anything in return.’

Emilia was emotional upon receiving her nomination.

‘You have to do the job from your heart. I always put my heart first,’ she said.