40 Faces of Brendoncare – Lee Wilson

Lee Wilson could not be happier with his life and much of it has to do with finding the perfect work/life balance in his current role as junior chef at Brendoncare Alton.

But it was not always that way. His first job in catering was as a kitchen porter at a pub near Alton, where he worked up to 60 hours a week. He loved the job – even more so when he was allowed to help with preparing desserts one Boxing Day shift when a chef fell ill.

However, as Lee explains, while he was there, he had a mental health episode. As a result, he had to move out of the pub’s flat where he was living and back with his Mum.

To support him on his road to recovery, Lee received some therapy which really helped him. Then his friend Holly, a former chef at Brendoncare Alton, got him a job at the care home as a kitchen assistant – and eight years later, he has never looked back.

First Aider:

He is now a Mental Health First Aider at Brendoncare Alton as well as his numerous kitchen duties.

Such was his progress in his job, when the care home needed an extra chef, Lee went on a day release course at Newlyns Cookery School near Odiham to help him improve his culinary skills.

“The course was really fun,” he recalls. “I met some amazing chefs. Having only previously done desserts, being shown more of the mains side of cookery was really interesting and fired my passion for doing it.”

He also pays tribute to his colleagues at Brendoncare Alton. “After my mental health issue, I did not think I would ever get back into catering. But the team and the atmosphere in the kitchen put me right back to where I should have been.”

Curries:

Now happily married with a three year old daughter, Lee loves cooking for Brendoncare Alton’s residents. “They love curries, cottage and shepherd’s pie, and burgers. One lady sends us notes telling us what she likes and does not like!”

Lee went on a mental health course, organised by Brendoncare, which led him to becoming a First Aider. “It is such an important part of my work as I know how trivial stuff can snowball into bigger things.”

He acknowledges that one of the aims of International Men’s Day is to make a positive difference to both physical and mental wellbeing.

As Lee explains: “We guys don’t really talk about our mental health enough. We would rather just stick it in the back of our minds. Really, we should be more open with stuff which might be affecting us. When I had my mental issue, it really helped having therapy. Then I met my wife who set me free. Now I am settled and know what I want from life.

“It all helped to clear my mind and now, I am doing this job, which is really fun, especially as I feel a part of the fantastic team here.”