Care worker Michele Adamson's job has always been vital, looking after elderly and vulnerable people in their own home to allow them to continue living independently.
But self-isolating and shielding means she is now the only person most of her users see - and she witnesses the heartbreaking loneliness that the coronavirus lockdown is causing first hand, every single day.
She says the critical task at hand and being labelled 'key workers' means people are finally appreciating the difficult and exhausting work carers do.
Speaking to Mirror Online as part of our Frontline Fighters series, she said: "We're no longer just seen as the uneducated.
"We've gone from care workers to these people's only contact. Care staff are really important, we've got a role to play.
"People are appreciating care workers. It's nice to no longer be invisible and not to be taken for granted.
"It's been a little bit overwhelming.
"It's always about the doctors and nurses, but if it wasn't for the carers they would be more inundated. We're keeping people out of hospital."
Michele, who is spending lockdown with her partner and two of her three children, admits she did consider not going out to work as she was concerned about her family's safety.
But the feeling didn't last long, and she knew she needed to carry on and care for the users.
One of the most difficult parts of the changed role is seeing how lonely many people are since being cut off from their families.
On several occasions, Michele has had to comfort crying elderly people who haven't spoken to anyone in days and are missing their grandchildren terribly.
She said: "The majority of our users are isolating alone. We're the only point of contact they've got with the outside world.
"Their families can't go to their house.
"It's quite scary and confusing for some of them. A lot of them don't understand.
"The hardest part is seeing how upset some of our service users get. I get to go home to my family but they just sit in their house alone. It's heartbreaking.
"You can't even cuddle them to comfort them.
"It's so sad to see the loneliness.
"The main thing for them is the lack of contact. They can't hug people or see their grandchildren.
"We're like an extended family."
Michele and her team have been following the strict guidelines, wearing PPE to protect themselves and their users from the deadly disease.
However this has added extra difficulty, and many of the people they visit have found it very unsettling.
"Us going in with face masks was terrifying for some of them, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer's. It's frightening.
"But I feel safe doing my job, our manager has made sure of that."
However the team are determined to do everything they can to keep spirits up, and make sure they are happy and positive when they arrive at people's houses.
She said: "It's hard because we've got to keep how we feel aside.
"As soon as you walk through the door you've got to put a smile on your face and try to be normal.
"We don't want to bring them any more worry. We don't want to take any negativity in, they just don't need it at the moment.
"We try to keep them in touch with something that's normal.
"We've got to keep upbeat.
"We talk a lot about what's going on in our lives at home."
In a bid to make their users smile, Michele's manager has put together hampers of treats and activities - including colouring books - which they've handed out.
She said: "We're trying out best to keep moral up. We're trying to do that little extra
"That's cheered them up. We're trying to do a little bit extra to try and bring a little bit of good."
Michele is determined to keep going and continue her work visiting the most vulnerable in our comminity.
By doing this, care workers across the country are keeping people out of hospital - which is easing the strain on our already struggling NHS during the pandemic.
She said: "It's my job and I love it. Nobody else is going to do it.
"It's just what we have to do. It's like a calling, which I know sounds corny."
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched the ‘Care for Others. Make a Difference’ campaign, to recognise everything care workers do. To find out more, please visit: www.everydayisdifferent.com
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