As it was for so many people, 2020 was the toughest year care home manager Alison has ever faced.
The trained nurse was working for up to six weeks at a time without a day off and had to face the devastating toll the pandemic had on her residents – with many losing their lives.
As a result, Alison admits that her appearance took a back seat and the stress of dealing with coronavirus meant that she aged rapidly.
So, the 48-year-old sought the help of the experts at channel Five’s 10 Years Younger in 10 Days to see if they could give her a new lease of life.
Alison, who is a single mother to Jack, 12, said: “2020 was the most difficult year in my career as a nurse. The numbers were incredibly high.
“We had to sit and hold the hands of people that were passing away, their families couldn’t come in and see them, it was awful.
“We didn’t know what we were dealing with and we did the best we could but we lost people along the way. And that’s something that’s had a massive impact on me and the way I see life.
“Life is for living and I never really lived my life.”
And Alison’s fears about her looks were confirmed when she stepped out for the public to evaluate her age. As it was confirmed that passersby thought she looked six years older than her years, with an average age of 54.
Alison was surprised but explained: “Over the last year because of the stress and the strain, I feel like I’ve aged rapidly.
“We were working solidly, 6 weeks without a day off and I would come home from 15 hour shifts and cry and then have to go back and do it again. It was incredibly difficult.
“I see these dark bags under my eyes, wrinkles. My mouth is just down, I don’t feel like I look like me anymore.”
She added: “It’s been tough, constant work, seven days a week, I was exhausted. I used to be the life and soul of the party and didn’t care what anybody thought.
“I was always the first one on the dance floor, making a fool of myself and now I just hide.”
But it’s not just Alison’s looks that have suffered. For, she admits that past relationships and the difficulties of raising a child on her own have also knocked her confidence dramatically.
She said: “My son means the absolute world to me. I adore him. I go without most things to make sure that he has everything. It’s been very very very hard work to keep everything together.
“The relationships I’ve had in the past, I’ve not been treated particularly well and that really does take your confidence completely away from you.”
She added: “I’m just stuck in the house and I don’t want to go out any more. I’ve just lost who I am and I miss the old me.”
But Cherry Healey and the team at Channel 5 were determined that they could fix Alison’s woes and make her feel beautiful again.
First up was a trip to skin specialist, Nilam Holmes, who treated Alison to a skin cleaning treatment and microneedling to give her a smooth and youthful complexion.
Alison then underwent vitamin drip therapy, which is adored by stars such as Miley Cyrus, Madonna and Adele.
The technique involves injection vitamins and minerals into the body intravenously to bypass the digestive system for a quicker shot of vitality.
Alison said: “For me, as a nurse, I’ve trained to put drips into people. So to be getting a drip that’s a luxury treatment is really bizarre.”
The key worker was also given a manicure, eyelash extension and a stunning new haircut – complete with extensions - before reviving her wardrobe.
Speaking of her choice in clothes, Alison, who is 6ft tall, said: “I’ve kind of lost my way. I’ve never had the confidence body-shape-wise since my little boy was born really and it’s a struggle because I’m so tall as well.”
But the experts made Alison realise that she could use her height to her advantage and show off her impressive legs – rather than hide away.
Alison said: “Actually wearing the mini dress with the boots was something I used to do in my late twenties. So to come out at my age and still be able to rock that look, I was loving it.”
And when the time came to reveal her transformation to her mum, dad and son, Alison looked and felt like a whole new woman.
After seeing Alison’s new look, the public even lowered her average age to 44 – a whopping 10 years younger than she previously looked.
As a result, Alison is now confident enough to even consider dating again – for the first time since her son was born.
She said: “I’m still there. I got a little bit lost but I found me again.
“Find that dance floor, I’m getting on there first. And, you never know, Prince Charming might be there.
“Since doing the show, I’ve joined a couple dating apps and have been on a few dates but haven’t met the right person yet.
“It’s been difficult during lockdown and putting yourself out there is a bit scary! But there’s some really nice people out there to chat to and get to know so hopefully sometime soon Mr Right will appear.”
*10 Years Younger airs Thursday at 9pm on Channel 5.
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