AN Okehampton woman is celebrating after receiving a certificate in recognition of her success in her NVQ2 care qualifications ? at the grand age of 75! Betty Acaster works at the supported living units run by Lyndridge Care in Okehampton. Carol Barkwell, of Lyndridge, said: ?I think it?s unusual that someone of her age is even working, but to actually do a qualification, it just shows you are never, ever too old and she is so thrilled to have done it.? Carol said they had never had anyone of Betty?s age ever attempt to get qualified before. ?We didn?t even know if we could get a training agency to take her on, but we did and she passed ? she?s the oldest person we know that has ever done it.? Carol said it was nice to hear a positive story about the caring industry. ?Caring is actually a way of having a career and moving forward, even if you?ve left school with no qualifications whatsoever,? she said. Betty, who lives at North Tawton, said she was absolutely delighted with her qualification, which follows the NVQ 1 she has already obtained. She said: ?Carol asked me what I thought about doing it and I thought: ?Why not? Just because I am 57 in reverse!? People look at you and think, you?re so old, you know nothing, but it was a delightful challenge and it?s given me, and Lyndridge, prestige.? Betty works between 36 and 40 hours a week for Lyndridge and has been involved in the caring profession for ten years. She said she loves her job: ?It gives me a challenge in life. I can relate to older people, we talk in the same language, as one might say. ?It?s great when you can get someone to open up and talk, it gives me something to live for and look forward to. ?Just two little words like ?thank you? and when you remember someone?s smile, it gives you a fantastic feeling that you have achieved something.? Betty said she would recommend the caring professions to anyone. ?It?s not just a job, it?s what you can achieve out of it. If you have the ability to converse with people, as I?ve done all my life, it?s amazing what you can achieve. ?It is very satisfying when you?ve encouraged another person who sometimes didn?t want to go on,? she said. A delighted Betty is pictured, right, with her certificate.
