An episode of comedian Rhod Gilbert’s BBC programme Work Experience has been released early in honour of Britain’s care workers.
Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience started back in 2010 and follows the comedian taking up various jobs including bin man, zookeeper, drag artist and even a tattooist.
With the BBC iPlayer series not yet officially announced, the BBC has released an episode early in dedication to care workers.
The comic spent a few days working in a care home in Barry for the ninth series of his BBC Wales last year.
Rhod Gilbert said: ‘I have been wanting to film a Work Experience episode as a carer for years – and before the Covid-19 outbreak, our little team made it happen.
“It was very emotional when we filmed it, and at the time I felt that carers were some of the least valued and most valuable members of our society; that is no longer in question.
“At the end of the episode, one of the staff at the home reads a poem about what it means to be a carer and she nails it.
“To the residents, a carer is their advisor, their cleaner, their chef, their confidant, their friend.
“They are everything to that person. It’s about not letting someone just sit there; it’s about maximising someone’s life, so to all of our carers, thank you. We owe you everything.”
The BBC confirmed the show is available on BBC iPlayer ‘as a tribute to those who are looking after our loved ones’.
Carer Emma’s poem in full:
Just a carer, that’s what they say
Just washing and making tea all day
That’s not a job, just to wipe bums
Easy work, nothing hard to get done
But what they don’t see, behind a door
A carer, a professional and so much more
A counsellor, a friend to wipe away their tears
To be strong and supportive, to end all their fears
The job is hard, and you challenge each day
Dodging the punches and hurtful word play
But a smile and a hug are rewards of their own
The best job I’ve had is the place they call home
Just a carer, that’s only a word
My job is more than what you’ve heard
An adviser, a coach, so much more than what you see
It’s a blessing and an honour to take care of your family
Just a carer, no that’s not me
I’m an angel in scrubs, serving the tea
Wiping your tears, being your friend
Your loved one’s guide, until the very end
