A dementia specialist has seen her career take an unexpected turn after she was part of an online meeting during the pandemic.

Bonnie Frear, an experienced nurse, was chosen for the role of quality assurance manager for the White Care Group which runs three specialist homes in Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet and Taunton.

She came into her new role after a meeting with Philip White of St Benedict’s Nursing Home in Glastonbury during the pandemic.

She said: "This has been a massive career change for me, but it’s such a rewarding role."

Ms Frear, a former community psychiatric nurse, began her care career as a mature student at the age of 33.

Her passion for care began when she moved to care for her grandparents in Cornwall.

She said: "It was my grandad who spotted an ad for a home-care assistant and suggested it might suit me.

"And he was in a good position to recognise that."

After her initial role helping a woman with dementia, Ms Frear moved into a nursing home, then took an 'access to nursing' course which led her into dementia specialist work before taking on her current role.

Her career before care had seen her in public-facing roles, including a stint as a special constable.