When Donna joined the business, she wasn’t looking for an office career. In fact, she’d spent years telling herself she never wanted one.
“I always said when I left school that I’d never work in an office. Sitting behind a computer all day wasn’t for me.”
After being made redundant from a long-term role, Donna was introduced to the domestic cleaning team through a friend. What started as a few shifts quickly became full-time work, cleaning alongside the team and learning the business from the ground up.
What she didn’t know at the time was that Bev and Rebecca had spotted something in her: a strong work ethic, a willingness to help, and a can-do attitude. They asked if she’d like to start coming into the office to support the team.
Before long, one day in the office became two. Two became three. Then one conversation changed everything.
“They asked if I’d like to come into the office full time. Before I knew it, I was here five days a week.”
Today, Donna is Elara’s Office Coordinator, helping keep the wheels turning behind the scenes across the business.
Confidence doesn’t always arrive all at once
Ask Donna what she’s most proud of and she won’t point to a promotion or a particular achievement. Instead, she talks about confidence.
When she first joined the business, there were plenty of things she didn’t think she could do; Excel spreadsheets, answering phones, managing schedules. Even driving on the motorway was something she avoided at all costs.
But then she was sent to support a team she’d never met in a company van she’d never driven before. That was a big enough challenge. And then she accidentally followed the team onto the M6.
“I’d never driven on a motorway in my entire life,” she says, laughing. “I’ve never been so scared. I remember ringing my boyfriend saying, ‘I think I’m on the motorway… where do I get off? What do I do?'”
Looking back, Donna sees that day as the start of something bigger.
“It made me a more confident driver. Motorway driving never bothered me after that. And it made me realise that if I put my mind to it, I can actually do things I didn’t think I could.”
Learning from the people around her
A big part of that growth came from the support she received. Donna is quick to credit Rebecca for the patience, time and encouragement she invested in helping her learn new skills.
From spreadsheets and formulas to handling customer enquiries and taking on new responsibilities, Donna’s role has steadily grown alongside her confidence.
“I can do things now that I would have had to ask for help with before. The more you do it, the more confident you become with it. And I’ve learned that I am actually good at these things!”
She’s become the person many of the team turn to when they need help. Officially, Donna is the Office Coordinator. Unofficially? She’s a scheduler, administrator, problem solver, contract creator, invoice manager, HR support, phone answerer and organiser all rolled into one.
The reason people stay
Donna believes the reason so many people stay at Elara for years comes down to one simple thing: people genuinely care.
The business celebrates birthdays. Supports people through personal challenges. Checks in when someone is struggling. Makes time for conversations that have nothing to do with work.
“You’re not just a number,” she says. “You’re an employee that they want to look after and make sure you’re enjoying the job. I think that’s why people stay.”
It’s something she sees every day. From Bev’s regular check-ins with staff to the way supervisors support their teams across the business. People know someone is there if they need them, especially during life’s more difficult moments.
“Rebecca and Bev have been there for me through lots of different things. They’re good bosses, but they’re good friends as well.”
Looking ahead
When Donna first left school, she was convinced she knew one thing for certain. “I always said I’d never work in an office. Sitting behind a computer five days a week wasn’t for me.”
Years later, she laughs at that idea. “Now I actually enjoy it. I’m still learning new things from Bev and Rebecca all the time, and I enjoy taking more responsibility off Rebecca’s plate where I can. I’m happy here, I’m happy learning, and I’m happy doing what I do.”
And if you asked the team what would happen if Donna disappeared on holiday for a week?
“It’s always, ‘Oh no, we can’t cope without you!’” Donna says. “I tell them not to worry… but they don’t seem too convinced!”
