Agincare Heroes Stories: Deji Sule
This summer saw live-in care worker Babadeji Sule honoured as one of our first ever Agincare Heroes.
The prestigious awards ceremony paid tribute to extraordinary members of our team that have gone above and beyond, or have made a real difference to the lives of those that they care for.
Our judging panel had hundreds of nominations to consider, but only a dozen individuals could go on to be honoured with an Agincare Hero Award.
Babadeji, known as Deji, stood out for remarkable commitment and absolute loyalty to his client and their family, standing strongly with them during the most challenging time imaginable. But it wasn’t just the case with his current client, time and time again Deji has displayed emotional strength, compassion and skill when it mattered the most – caring for someone in their final days.
Meet our Agincare Hero
Deji has been a live-in care worker with Agincare since 2018 after working his way through various jobs whilst studying, including at Morrisons, Amazon and others in and around greater London.
It was only when Deji gave care a try, on the suggestion of a friend, that the spark was lit for a future career.
Since then Deji’s role as a live-in care worker has taken him around the country. It takes a special kind of person to become a live-in carer, travelling around to reside in someone else’s home, single-handedly providing care and support around the clock depending on each person’s own individual circumstances.
Deji says:
For me, it’s a special career to look after someone and bring a smile to their face.
Deji has the rare gift of being able to build an unbreakable bond with those he supports and their families, often forming life-long relationships. Indeed, Deji still keeps in touch with many of the families he has come into contact with and is regarded as one of the family, sharing special times like birthdays, anniversaries and the festive period.
An exclusive awards ceremony
Welcoming Deji to the stage at an exclusive ceremony at The Manor House near Castle Combe, Wiltshire, Agincare Director Adam Luckhurst commended him saying;
Providing end-of-life care requires a special kind of person. It takes emotional strength, compassion and skill to take on the privilege of caring for someone in their final days. Deji epitomises those qualities.
That’s certainly been the case with Keith, who Deji has been a live-in care worker for in Shropshire since February. Keith’s daughter Gemma was just one of the many people who nominated Deji as an Agincare Hero. Describing his incredible devotion to ensuring that her father finds peace and comfort in his final days, she said:
Deji has been an absolute star looking after my very ill parents. My father is end of life care and has said he could not have wished for a better carer to help him through these remaining tough days. Deji goes above and beyond his role every single day, and is so committed to ensuring they are both well looked after and happy.
My father would not be without this wonderful man, they may not have saved his life, but he makes my Dad’s life happier each day.
In addition to caring for Keith, our winner Deji is devoted to supporting Keith’s wife and even looks after their beloved dog Alfie. Deji adds:
The most important thing of all is to look after them, give them companionship and appreciate their interests. Keith loves 1960s music which we enjoy listening to together on a radio music station. Keith knows all the songs, I google them and pretend that I do as well!
The heart to care
Deji found out about winning the Agincare Hero Award when his manager Gemma called to share the good news. And as luck would have it, he had already booked the week off work when the awards ceremony was set to happen so was well placed to travel and collect the award in person. Deji and the 11 other winners were invited to the stage in turn to collect their Agincare Hero certificate and medal from Agincare Founder and Chairman, Derek Luckhurst and Chief Executive, Raina Summerson. Winners also received a luxury hamper, bouquet of flowers and £500.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Deji said:
Live-in care can be difficult but rewarding when you are looking after people. I have a passion to bring a smile to people’s faces and make an impact on their lives. The people you are with will never forget you and remember you for years.
I think that it’s the best job that you can do.
Become an Agincare hero
While the Agincare Heroes awards recognises those who have gone above and beyond, all of our care workers are heroes. The steadfast heart to care really is a superpower.
If you think you have the heart to care search our live-in care worker jobs today.
