A day in the life of an accommodation manager

A typical day might involve talking to our specialist social workers as soon as a child is diagnosed, to book them a room here. Then we’ll invite them to the house for an induction so they can see the spaces for themselves and get a key to their room. From that point on, they can come and go as they need during their treatment.

With nine families staying here, we have to keep everything very clean to prevent the risk of infection. I’m also responsible for ensuring maintenance, like cleaning the gutters and fixing leaks, is carried out. Last week, we had to remove two wasps nests in the attic, which was scary. A sting for a child with a compromised immune system could be really dangerous.

Maintaining the garden is really important to us, too. When a child has been on a ward for months and hasn’t felt a blade of grass under their feet, that outside time is so valuable.

Our number one priority is the families. Sometimes, they may have had a really bad day and just need a shoulder to cry on. As a team of four, we’re here to listen, to be by their side, and to respond quickly if there’s anything they need.

I’ve worked for Young Lives vs Cancer for 24 years, and what keeps me going is the children and young people. It’s a privilege to be there for them at such a difficult time in their life. Even though they receive a cancer diagnosis, children keep being children. They’re amazing.