Three Progress managers on stress, self-awareness and staying grounded
Stress is not an occasional visitor in care. It’s a constant companion, woven into decision‑making, responsibility, safeguarding, staffing pressures, and the emotional labour that comes with supporting vulnerable people every day. To commemorate Stress Awareness Month, three Progress managers talked about how they experience stress and, more importantly, how they live alongside it.
Their answers couldn’t be distilled into a single coping strategy, and that’s exactly the point.
Living with it, not fighting it
For Amanda Pugh, Registered Manager at Spring Meadow, stress isn’t something that comes and goes. It’s more permanent than that.
“I don’t really have time to deal with stress,” she says honestly. “It’s more about distraction.”
Amanda doesn’t frame stress as a problem with a solution. Instead, she describes living with it: acknowledging that it’s always there but finding moments where it loosens its grip. A cup of tea that lasts a little longer than usual. A task that pulls focus elsewhere. A brief pause that allows her mind to step away, even temporarily.
“Stress doesn’t go away,” she explains. “But finding a short distraction helps take my mind off it. As soon as it’s finished, the stress is still there.”
Perspective, not perfection
At Stourbridge House, Deputy Manager Jessica Freeman approaches stress differently. Rather than trying to push it away, she actively works to manage it.
“Stress is always going to be part of the job,” she says. “So, I try to manage it rather than fight it.”
For Jessica, that starts with perspective. When everything feels urgent, she reminds herself that not everything needs to be solved at once and that it’s okay not to have an immediate answer.
“I focus on what I can control by staying organised and prioritising,” she explains. “I remind myself I don’t have to figure everything out straight away. I can take time to decide the best course of action.”
But some of Jessica’s most powerful grounding doesn’t happen at work at all. When she goes home, her world shifts.
“Spending time with my daughter really puts everything into perspective,” she says. “It reminds me why I do this job and why the support we give children matters so much.”
That contrast between the intensity of the workplace and the simplicity of family time helps her reset. Fresh air, small routines, moments that belong entirely to her life outside of care. These aren’t luxuries; they’re anchors.
“Looking after my wellbeing outside of work gives me the chance to switch off,” she says. “So, I can come back ready to carry the responsibility again.”
Choosing peace where possible
At Wellcroft House, Registered Manager Sabrina Patel takes a more philosophical approach to stress — one rooted in boundaries, teamwork, and mindset.
“I review my workload and prioritise,” she says. “And I lean on my team.”
There’s no suggestion here of managing everything alone. Stress, Sabrina believes, becomes heavier when it’s carried in isolation. Sharing responsibility, asking for support, and trusting colleagues are part of how she keeps overwhelm at bay.
She’s also intentional about patience, both with situations and with herself.
“Personally, I feel stress is a choice we can control,” she reflects, acknowledging quickly that not everyone will see it that way. For her, stress often sits in the gap between what’s happening and what we can realistically influence.
“I try not to overwhelm myself with things I can’t control,” she says. “I focus on seeing the good and learning from what’s causing stress.”
It’s a mindset grounded in reflection rather than reaction. A conscious decision to choose peace where possible, even when pressures remain.
“Peace over problems,” she says simply.
No one way to carry it
What links these three perspectives isn’t a single solution, it’s honesty. Stress shows up differently for everyone. Some manage it through momentary distraction. Others through structure, reflection, or support. Some by stepping back. Others by leaning in.
In care, stress isn’t a weakness. It’s often a sign of commitment, of people who care deeply about doing the right thing, even when the circumstances are challenging.
This Stress Awareness Month, these stories remind us that wellbeing doesn’t have to look perfect. Sometimes it looks like acceptance. Sometimes it looks like perspective. Sometimes it’s just choosing the next right step and giving yourself permission to pause. And sometimes, it’s simply knowing you’re not alone in carrying the weight.