#People of Berwick – “I honestly hope Berwick will be my last and final job” – ELS team member, Jessica Herron, shares why she loves working at Berwick by the Sea
Jessica grew up on the west cost of Vancouver Island, in a very small fishing town called Tahsis. She lived there from grade 3 through to grade 12 and moved away in 2001 after she had graduated high school. Tahsis was where she learned to love fishing in the ocean. You might be surprised to know that Jessica knows how to tie all sorts of fishing rig ups and knows how to run a boat. She’s been residing in Campbell River for almost two decades now and feels it is one of Vancouver Island’s best kept secrets.
Jessica was first drawn to Berwick by the Sea when construction began on the picturesque seaside location in Campbell River. Although Berwick was not a familiar company to her, she was intrigued enough to research the company online and was instantly captivated by all the beautiful communities Berwick had already built where independent seniors could live and enjoy their retirement years with everything they could possibly want and need. It was cruise ship style living and she couldn’t wait to apply.
Since joining the Berwick by the Sea team when the community opened in 2014, she honestly hopes Berwick will be her last and final Job. She loves working at Berwick by the Sea, and loves all the residents and employees. “We are very fortunate to have Jessica on our team in Resident Services! Jessica always puts the Residents first and truly cares about every one of them. She goes above and beyond to serve the residents. Also, Jessica is always ready to tackle a project or learn something new. From helping to spruce up our building on nights, to caring for our Residents in their time of need, she does it all!” – Alicia Fischer, Resident Services Manager.
As an Enhanced Living Services team member, Jessica wears many different hats on a regular basis and credits the team she works with as one of the main reasons she stays motivated and enjoys coming to work. “The team I work with are a great group of people. We always help each other out and I find they are a great support system when times get challenging,” she says. “We all work together to support each other. the workplace culture here is amazing. Everyone is always smiling and making the workplace a great place to be.”
“Jessica has drive and determination and loves to keep busy. She is always willing to assist not only within her own department, but others as well. She is self-motivated with a diverse skill set, which means she is a great asset to our team and Berwick as a whole.” – Teri Fillion, Office Manager
Diversity, connection and the ability to grow fuels Jessica’s determination at work. “I’d say my role in the ELS department is very important, as our team have to wear multiple hats and do many different jobs throughout our shifts. What I love about working in ELS is it allows me to interact closely with residents and their families, building close bonds and learning the persona’s behind the people who live at Berwick by the Sea. So many of them have become like family to me now.”
Fostering a caring relationship with seniors and their families is something Jessica does extremely well. She helps the residents at Berwick by the Sea navigate change and focuses on empowering them to remain independent, even if that means some additional supports are in place. “Jessica’s compassionate and kindhearted nature shines with every interaction, as she supports residents and her fellow team members.” – Amanda Guignion, General Manager.
Jessica also makes sure to find time to have fun and laugh with her fellow employees. She recalls fondly when her and some fellow team members spent time together at Painters Lodge enjoying delicious food, drinks and watching a live band.
Outside of work, Jessica is a busy mother of two traveling from hockey practice to soccer while managing to set aside time for herself to enjoy slow pitch and regular workouts.
