For many of us, a trip to the hairdresser is more than just about getting a haircut; it’s a chance to chat, relax, and feel pampered. For the residents of Aria Court in March, that experience is brought to life by Pat Betts, who has been visiting the care home as their trusted hairdresser for an incredible 30 years.
At 70 years young, Pat has no plans to hang up her scissors. “I still love coming into Aria Court,” she says with a warm smile. “It’s such a lovely, family atmosphere, and the work is so rewarding.”
Pat’s journey as a hairdresser began back in the 1970s, when perms and shampoo-and-set styles were all the rage. After finishing school, she attended college in Wisbech and started out working in a salon. “It used to be all about rollers and those big hairdryers on stands,” she laughs. “Things have certainly changed since then!”
In the late 70s and early 80s, Pat made the move to mobile hairdressing—a new concept at the time. It turned out to be a perfect fit, especially as she balanced her career with raising a family. Living locally, she was able to run a busy schedule, often having clients visit her home. She also inspired two of her daughters to follow in her footsteps, having grown up watching their mum work her magic with scissors and a comb.
Over the years, Pat has worked in several care homes across the area, but she has a special place in her heart for Aria Court and for the past three decades, she has been a familiar face in the care home, currently working there three mornings a week.
For Pat, hairdressing at Aria Court isn’t just about making sure everyone looks their best; it’s about connecting with the residents and hearing their stories. “It’s a social experience for them,” she says. “They love to chat while getting their hair done. There’s one lady who always talks about her love of Tom Jones and all the concerts she went to when she was younger.”
Every week, around 30 residents—both men and women—come to see Pat, and she loves every moment of it. “People enjoy getting their hair done. It gives them a real boost,” she explains. “There’s nothing quite like seeing the smiles on their faces when they look in the mirror. It’s lovely to see.”
For many residents, a visit to the salon feels like a trip out, complete with a chat, a cup of tea, and maybe even a puzzle book or magazine to pass the time. Pat makes sure to create that comfortable, salon-like atmosphere, helping residents feel pampered and cared for. “It’s like a little outing,” she says. “They can relax and feel like themselves again.”
Over the years, Pat has built strong relationships with many of the residents at Aria Court, some of whom she has been seeing for years. In fact, she’s even come across a few familiar faces—people she used to style back when they lived in their own homes in the March area. “One lady was one of my first clients when I was just 18 or 19,” she recalls.
Some of her most cherished memories are the moments when her work makes a real difference. “I remember one lady who had been poorly and hadn’t had her hair done for weeks,” Pat shares. “When she finally came in and saw herself with her hair done, she burst into tears because she felt like herself again. It’s moments like those that make this job so special.”
Like many people, Pat faced challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, and visits to the salon were put on hold for a time. When she was finally able to return, there was a lot of catching up to do! “I’ll never forget that first week back,” she laughs. “The salon floor was absolutely covered in hair—everyone needed a good trim!”
Even after 30 years, Pat shows no signs of slowing down. “I still enjoy every minute of it,” she says. “It’s more rewarding than working in an ordinary salon, especially when you can make someone’s day just by doing their hair.”
When Pat isn’t at the salon she spends time with her family, which has expanded to include four grandchildren who she loves to take care of. She enjoys cooking and gardening and does plenty of exercise – getting her steps in with the 20-minute walk to work and back and keeping fit with a personal trainer who helps with weights work.
Home Manager Jo Monaghan said, “Pat isn’t just a hairdresser to the residents of Aria Court; she’s a friend, a confidante, and a constant in their lives. We love to see her here and for many, her visits are a highlight of the week, bringing warmth, conversation, and a little bit of pampering.”
