King’s Lynn carer Anita Bryant wins award with Extra Hands

After ten years in a supermarket and a decade as a teaching assistant, carer Anita Bryant now has “the best of both worlds” and has just won an award for her new role.

Anita, who lives in North Lynn, works for family-run Extra Hands and is based at the company’s Heacham office.

She has been recognised as the ‘Rising Star’ of her office and has been presented with an award which now sits proudly on her mantelpiece alongside photos of her grandchildren.

“I really like getting out and meeting different people. I have been to places I’d never heard of as I had been working in King’s Lynn for ten years, but now I go all over the place,” she said.

Immediately prior to joining Extra Hands, Anita worked for Sainsbury’s in the store adjacent to Lynn’s bus station. Her job came to an end when the deli counter closed.

“For ten years before that I worked as a teaching assistant with children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). I decided to work out what elements of both jobs I enjoy and that led me to Extra Hands,” she said.

A grandmother of five, Anita has no regrets about starting a new career in her 50s and said she has no plans to change her role as she enjoys her work.

“I was told I had done so well in my first year that I would get the award,” she added.

“It takes pride of place alongside the photos of my grandchildren. I really like my job - it’s a bit like getting paid to talk to people.”

Anita studied hard for ten months online to complete her Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, and said she had enjoyed gaining the qualification, but had forgotten how hard studying could be.

Originally from Sussex, Anita has lived in Norfolk for 20 years with her husband Steve. The couple have two children and enjoy walking their two dogs.