Sparks began to fly when Norman and Christine Edge met at Lanark station in the late 1950s. Norman, a fireman who worked in the steam engine room, would even swap shifts to ensure he was on the 07:53 from Lanark to Glasgow so he could see Christine, a Kirkfieldbank girl and secretary, every day.

As feelings gathered unstoppable momentum, the couple wed in the Royal Oak Hotel, Lanark, in 1962 and have enjoyed a long and happy marriage.

Health challenges have taken their toll in recent years. Yet Christine, 84, explained how their close bond has endured like steel – galvanised by the support of the local Care at Home workforce.

“Norman is now 89 and living with dementia, and my mobility is restricted, just by general wear and tear,” explained Christine. “We’ve always enjoyed a really active life but had to move from our home in Kirkfieldbank, where we raised our family, to more suitable accommodation in recent years.

“Norman’s condition is such that he might otherwise need care in a hospital or care home setting – if it wasn’t for the work and compassion of the home care staff who support us daily.”

The Care at Home service provides essential support to enable people to live as independently as possible in their own homes. This often involves helping a person wash, dress, or get ready for bed. Some staff are also trained to give more personal assistance, such as help with medication.

Christine added: “It’s not just practical help. Health challenges can come with worry and anxiety. The support our carers offer – with their gentle demeanour and solid presence – brings a sense of calm and reassurance.

“Our carers, like James, are dedicated and highly professional but always make time to chat with us, like family. They are all amazing.”

Christine and Norman’s story follows closely on the heels of a glowing report by the Care Inspectorate of the South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Care at Home service in Clydesdale.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, recently visited Christine and Norman along with staff members James and Sharon.

He said: “The Care Inspectorate report is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and compassion of our Care at Home team in Clydesdale and the importance of our overall Home First approach.

“In chatting with Christine and Norman, what really resonated was the positive impact our staff have on people’s lives – and that’s very much personified by this wonderful couple’s experience.

“James and Sharon are great examples of what we look for in our staff, and what we have right across the HSCP’s Care at Home teams in Clydesdale and South Lanarkshire – people who are attentive, conscientious, and hard-working in carrying out their job, often under challenging circumstances, while also genuinely gaining fulfilment from making a tangible difference in the lives of the people they care for.

“It is also a powerful reminder of how fulfilling working in social care can be and how we should value all staff across our health and social care services.”