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This Health Care Professional Moved from UK to Canada to Start a New Life
Dani Antrobus took a leap of faith when she uprooted her family in 2024 and moved from England to Canada to start a new life.
It was a gamble that paid off.
Reflecting on the past 18 months in her new country, Dani smiles at the memories of her jump across the pond.
“I was born in Liverpool and moved to North Wales when I was still a child,” she says nostalgically about her life in England. “I do miss the United Kingdom, sometimes. I like the fact that it’s green in Ontario and there are a lot of beautiful lakes. I’m only seen a small part of this country, but from what I’ve seen so far, Canada is gorgeous.”
Dani’s start in Canada was a bit rocky when she first arrived due to the Canada Post strike. She moved here with her husband and three of their five children, the two eldest remaining behind to finish their studies.
“We arrived in February, and my personal items didn’t arrive until December,” she says with laugh. “It’s starting to settle down now, but I still have things in boxes.”
Asked about the differences between the two countries, she quickly answers, “Milk comes in bags here and the sky is always blue. In the UK, it’s always grey; it’s quite depressing. There’s also a language barrier in terms of colloquialisms that don’t translate. That’s a big difference.”
Dani worked as a Registered Nurse before arriving in Canada. The move was her husband’s dream to work as an engineer in Canada. Shortly after they arrived, Danie landed a job as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) at Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview. She is currently working to earn her license to work as a nurse in Canada.
Speaking from the popular long-term care home in late July 2025 where she has worked as a PSW for the past 10 months, Dani notes, “I enjoy my work in health care. I like people, and I love to hear stories about their lives. I’ve been doing this job for 27 years and I have never met someone who didn’t have an interesting life or story to share. I remember caring for a woman who worked on the Enigma machine, a cipher device used by Nazi Germany during World War II to encrypt and decrypt messages. I also nursed a nuclear physicist. They were so interesting.”
The 44-year-old woman stops and notes with enthusiasm, “One of our residents here was a pilot.”
Speaking on behalf of the home, Director of Care Sue Reynolds notes, “We are extremely fortunate that Dani found her way across the pond to our home. She has a dynamic personality that brings out the best in our residents and her attention to detail creates a long-lasting impact for all.”
When she’s not at work, Dani can be found walking two miles a day, boating or swimming. Asked to describe herself, she says she is an empath who likes to give back. “Health care is where I can do that,” she explains.
Questions for Dani
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
“I’d like to be able to speak and read all languages. It would make a big difference in health care.”
If you could rule the world, what would you do on day one?
“I’d eliminate prejudice and hate.”
If you weren’t at your current job, what would you be doing?
“This is the job I choose to do. Nursing is my make-a-wish job. Before this, I was a barmaid. If it wasn’t nursing, I’d probably be refurbishing furniture., I love working with wood and antiques.”
Helen Henderson Care Centre is grateful for the good work of Dani Antrobus. Residents and staff support her efforts to obtain her nursing license in Canada. To learn more about living or working in our home, please call 613-384-4585.
