29 Apr 2026 Community

Getting to know Alice a dedicated The Kirkwood nurse

After first walking through the doors of The Kirkwood in 2018, Alice Somerville knew she had found somewhere special. Now, after years of experience, travel, and a full-circle return, she is proud to be part of a team delivering compassionate, patient focused care at the heart of the Kirklees community.

Alice, who is originally from Huddersfield, began her career working in agency nursing, primarily across mental health units. It was this background that first brought her to The Kirkwood, when she was asked to provide care for a patient.

On becoming a nurse and why she went into that career choice, Alice reflected: “I originally worked in agency nursing, mainly within mental health units. Because I’m from Huddersfield, I was asked if I’d come to The Kirkwood to provide care for a patient. That was around 2018, and I came for about a week. Even in that short space of time, I got a real feel for the charity and what it stood for.”

Following that initial experience, Alice was invited to join The Kirkwood’s bank staff, where she worked for around three years, she continued: “While I was here, I was asked if I’d consider joining the bank, which I did. I went on to work on the bank for around three years, and I absolutely loved it. Every shift felt meaningful, and it was unlike anywhere else I’d worked before.”

Although she was keen to secure a permanent role, the timing wasn’t right. Alice went on to leave Huddersfield and spent three years travelling, before returning home and rediscovering her connection to The Kirkwood.

She said: “I always kept an eye out for a permanent role because I knew it was somewhere I’d love to be long term, but at the time there just wasn’t anything available. So, I ended up leaving Huddersfield and went travelling for three years, which was an amazing experience.

“When I came back home in October 2025, one of the first things I did was check The Kirkwood website and I saw there was a job available. It felt like everything had come full circle really. I applied straight away, and now I’m here doing something I genuinely care about.”

Now part of the team, Alice says what continues to stand out is the unique level of care patients receive something she hadn’t experienced anywhere else in her career.

She commented: “What stood out to me then, and still does now, is the level and pace of care. I’ve never worked anywhere that allows you to give so much time, patience and attention to each individual. You’re not rushed in the same way, you’re able to really be present with patients.

“When you’re with someone here, it feels like nothing else matters in that moment. You’re completely focused on them, on making them comfortable, on giving them dignity, and on making their situation just that little bit easier.”

Her role places a strong emphasis on personal care, something she describes as both deeply important and a real privilege.

She continued: “You’re often supporting people through incredibly difficult times, and you’re trying to make the best of a situation that isn’t always good. To be trusted to do that, and to play a part in someone’s care at that point in their life, is a real privilege. It’s something I don’t take lightly at all.

“I think one of the most important parts of my role is the personal care side of things. It’s very hands on and very intimate, and patients are in such a vulnerable position. That level of vulnerability means you have to approach everything with kindness, respect and compassion.

“It’s about making sure they have everything they need, that they feel comfortable, and that they still feel like themselves as much as possible. Those small moments, whether it’s helping someone feel settled or just being there to listen can make a big difference.”

Having grown up locally, Alice was always aware of The Kirkwood’s place within the community but says her understanding of its importance has deepened since joining the team.

She explained: “I knew about The Kirkwood before I ever worked here, just from growing up in Huddersfield. It’s always been a big name locally, a real household name. People know it, they respect it, and they understand how important it is. I think more recently, people have realised just how vital The Kirkwood is, especially when there was talk about the challenges it’s faced. The possibility of it not being there really opened people’s eyes. It made people stop and think about how much it means to the community.

“Now that I’m part of it, and I see the care that’s delivered every single day, it makes me feel even more strongly about how important it is to protect and support it.”

Alice also recognises the vital role that public support plays in making that care possible: “Knowing that so much of what we do is funded by the public is really powerful. It makes me want to give even more, and it makes me want to encourage people around me, friends, family, anyone to get involved and support in whatever way they can.

“The reality is, you never know when you or someone close to you might need this kind of care. It could be anyone, at any time, and having somewhere like The Kirkwood there makes such a difference. There really is nothing else like it in Huddersfield. The fact that it’s built by the community through fundraising, donations, the shops, it creates something really special. It’s not just a place, it’s something people feel connected to.”

Although she didn’t originally set out to become a nurse, Alice has always felt drawn to healthcare, inspired in part by her mum’s career: “I didn’t always see myself going into nursing. I was more interested in counselling, psychology and psychiatry when I was younger. But my mum’s a nurse, so it was always there in the background as a possibility.”

“I’ve always worked in healthcare in some form, and I’ve always loved it. Being able to help people, especially at the times when they need it most, is something that’s always meant a lot to me.”

Looking ahead, Alice is focused on continuing to grow within a place she feels proud to be part of: “I have thought about going into nursing fully, but I don’t think I could see myself doing it anywhere other than The Kirkwood. That’s how much this place stands out to me.

“Looking ahead, I definitely want to grow and develop. I think it’s important to keep building your skills and learning, and if you can do that in a place where you feel comfortable and supported, then that’s the best place to be. I feel really lucky to be here, and I’m excited to see where it can take me.”

We’d love to say thanks to all our nurses just like Alice, without them, we wouldn’t be able to care for the people we do today. If you’ve been inspired by Alice’s story, please make a donation to our cause by clicking HERE and help Alice and her colleagues continue to do what they do best by caring for those people who need us most.