A Glasgow woman will be commended for her 25 years of service with Bield at this year’s annual general meeting.

Cathy McGarry, who currently works as a tenancy sustainment officer in the housing provider’s Glasgow office, will be acknowledged for her years of service and contribution to enriching the lives of older people at the company’s AGM on September 20 in Edinburgh.

The 54-year-old originally started with the company as a senior care assistant back in 1993, before taking up a variety of different positions over the years.

Cathy said: “I think it’s an achievement to have worked for Bield for so long. If I could go back I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve definitely enjoyed my 25 years.

“I originally started because I needed to work closer to home after I had my daughter. I lived in Easterhouse at the time and the work was based in Coxton Gardens in Glasgow and covered the surrounding Greater Easterhouse areas, which was handy for me.

“If a carer didn’t turn up one day then I would step into the role, and that led me into applying for the Senior Officer role in Glasgow.

“I’ve also worked as a housing officer, an assessment officer, an allocations officer and I’ve been a development manager, so I’ve done a lot of different jobs over the years.

“My current role is very hands on in dealing with tenants, too. No two days are the same, so you have to deal with their issues individually.”

Having worked with older people for a quarter of a century, Cathy has many fond memories surrounding those she has helped. As a tenant herself at Bield’s Chalybeate Court in Kilwinning, Cathy works from home, helping to improve the quality of life for tenants living in the West of Scotland.

She added: “A memory which sticks with me is about a tenant with dementia, who fondly remembered his time as a professional footballer but struggled to remember the present day.

“We invited the manager and deputy manager of the club he used to play for to come in.

“The man lit up as he spoke with them about his time with the club, and those he used to play with. It was a fabulous day, and it’s definitely one of my favourite memories from my 25 years at Bield.

“It is the moments like these that make the job you do worthwhile and reinforces that the work you are doing is making a positive difference.”