As a working mother, finding time to balance my career, family, and self-care can often feel like an impossible juggling act. But today, I was reminded how fortunate I am to work for a company that not only recognises the importance of mental health but actively supports it.
For employed people, it’s often hard to get anything more than the bare minimum when it comes to holiday allowance. We’re generally afforded the statutory amount, and that’s usually all that’s on offer. But at Carew Dental, the wonderful Joanna and Melbourne go above and beyond. They offer all staff the opportunity to take four 4-hour self-care days throughout the year. To some, this might sound like a small thing, but as a full-time mother and assistant practice manager, it’s actually a huge deal.
Today, I spent my self-care day with my six-year-old son, Lincoln, at a Muddy Monsters session. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an outdoor adventure designed for kids to get muddy and active while building confidence. It’s chaotic, messy, and full of laughter—and exactly what Lincoln and I needed to recharge.
I’ll be honest: there’s no way I could have fit this in otherwise. Between work, school runs, and the never-ending to-do list, the quality time I get with Lincoln often feels rushed. But thanks to my self-care day, I was able to focus solely on him without the pressure of adult life looming over me. We had fun, we laughed, and we really connected—something that often gets lost in the shuffle of daily life.
What’s even better is that these self-care days aren’t tied to any strict rules. Employees have the flexibility to spend their time however they wish—whether that’s unwinding at home, going for a walk, or spending quality time with family (like I did). It’s an incredibly thoughtful gesture from Carew Dental, one that allows each person to define what self-care means to them, rather than being confined to a cookie-cutter idea of what relaxation or personal time should look like.
While our patients know Carew Dental for the excellent care we provide, what they might not see is how much Carew Dental invests in its staff. The leadership here doesn’t just talk about caring for people—they live it. Offering these self-care days to employees isn’t just a gesture; it’s a core part of how they ensure we’re mentally and physically able to care for others.
Taking time for ourselves not only benefits us as individuals, but it makes us better professionals. We’re more focused, more present, and more engaged in our roles because we’re supported in a way that nurtures us holistically. This isn’t just about preventing burnout (though that’s a big part of it); it’s about creating a positive, sustainable work culture where everyone—staff and patients alike—thrives.
So today, as I watched Lincoln swinging joyfully in a hammock, his face lit up with pure glee, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful to Carew Dental for making this moment possible. It wasn’t just a break—it was a priceless memory that I’ll cherish, and it’s moments like these that make me proud to work for such an empathetic, forward-thinking company.
Thank you, Joanna and Melbourne, for seeing the value in investing in us, the staff. Your support is felt not just by us, but by the families we go home to every day. It’s not just good business; it’s good people business.
And believe me, it makes all the difference.
