Housekeeper Peter Bailey knows exactly how long he has worked at East Cheshire Hospice.
He has been there 21 years, five months and 18 days … and counting.
Peter said: “It’s easy to work out because I started on January 1, 2004. It has become something of a running joke.”
Peter has reached retirement age but there is no sign of him finishing work unlike his five brothers.
He has, though, reduced his hours to two days a week.
East Cheshire Hospice housekeeper Peter Bailey.
He said: “They said I can’t retire because they know where I live. I enjoy it and there’s no reason to finish.
“I have a one-to-one every year and I say to them, ‘Do you still want me?’
“They say they can’t do without me.”
Peter has worked in health care for almost 30 years, including helping in nursing homes.
He started his career as an engineering apprentice in 1975.
He said: “The steel industry was rocking, and I was released after a year. I got my head down and decided to find a job.”
He helped in a London hospice – before East Cheshire Hospice was even built – and had various other jobs, mostly down south.
His roots were in Macclesfield where he eventually settled.
Peter has a collection of books about Macclesfield dating back to the 19th century and walks 30 minutes to work.
Discretion is key for the eight-strong housekeeping team, especially cleaning the ward.
Peter said: “I knew before I even came there that you knock on a door before going into a bedroom.
“It’s the patient’s space. You explain who you are, what you’re doing and ask if you can go in.
“You might be talking to someone who has a lot going on. You just don’t know what’s in their mind.
“You get a sense after a while. You’ve got to be prepared that a person might not want anyone in and needs their own space.
“You need a sensitive approach and to show respect. Sometimes it’s not easy.
“It might be you in that position. I don’t know how I’ll feel when it comes to my turn, but I’d like to think that so long as I’m trying my best for others, someone will do that for me when it’s my turn.
“The Hospice is a lot bigger than it was and we got a lot of remarks on how clean it is.