Spotlight on - Emily Turner

When a retired car mechanic with dementia refuses to sit at the care home dinner table and likes to lie on the floor checking under chairs and tables what do you do?

You fit a chair with bolts and locks underneath for him to "work" on, and let him enjoy his meal from a lunch box while he sits on seat doubling as a make-believe car bonnet.

That is the kind of imaginative approach to caring that Emily Turner is proud of, as a senior trainer with NAPPI uk, with a specialism in elderly and dementia care services.

"NAPPI's care of the elderly with dementia focusses on a psychological approach rather than resorting to physical restraint," she explained.

"The gentleman enjoyed his past life as a mechanic - and was happier if he thought he was at work. Our approach is about understanding the needs of every individual and tailoring the care to suit them," said Emily, who joined NAPPI after 15 years' experience in the care sector, particularly in nursing the elderly.

After studying drama and acting at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge, she "fell into" the care sector as a career, starting as a kitchen assistant at the residential home where her mum was a mental health nurse.

Emily rose through the ranks gaining qualifications along the way as a trainer and manager. She went on a NAPPI train the trainer course in 2013, before joining the company three years later.

"The great thing about NAPPI is that we have our areas of expertise and share them to improve our knowledge. I am passionate about delivering better care," Emily added.

She delivers training on Reducing Resistance to Essential Care, particularly to clients dealing with the elderly and dementia patients.

Emily is a qualified Moving and Handling trainer, ensuring any physical holds are done safely. She helped NAPPI make a major presentation on the subject to the National Back Exchange conference this year.

But she stresses that NAPPI seeks to avoid restraint in favour of de-escalation techniques - through learning about a cared-for person including those with dementia, who may resist care because they don't understand their carer is just trying to help them.

"When you get light bulb moments, like the one which helped improve the quality of life for the car mechanic gentleman, it is really rewarding," she explained.

Away from work Emily, 32, from Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire, is a keen backpacker who likes to explore the world travelling alone.

"I like getting off the beaten track to experience different cultures. Thailand is probably the best so far, but I also loved Plitvice National Park in Croatia."

She also enjoys music festivals with Glastonbury her favourite - with the Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran her stand-out acts.