"When I looked into being a carer I was delighted to find out there were so many opportunities to choose from"
What have you done since school?
I started Itchen College studying Art, 3D Design and Film Studies and
completed my first year but decided not to go back as I wasn’t enjoying
the courses. I liked the idea of working in retail and over the next
year I worked in a couple of different shops.
A family friend was looking for an apprentice to join their care team
and I decided to apply for it as I decided it could be a good career
path.
What made you choose this career?
When I was working in retail I was also caring for a friend who had
epilepsy which I enjoyed doing. When a family friend mentioned they
were looking for an apprentice for their care team I thought that I
could transfer the skills I had learnt whilst looking after my friend.
Also, when I looked into being a carer I was delighted to find out that
there were so many opportunities to choose from. I was glad to hear
that it wasn’t the stereotypical role of working in a rest home; you
could work with young people and adults too!
What does your job involve?
I work different shifts, sometimes I will work in the day and other
times I will work through the night. I work with adults who have
learning disabilities. When I work a day shift we have a routine of
waking the tenants up and helping them with breakfast and ensuring they
have a wash. After this the tenants can choose what they would like to
do. We do a variety of activities, usually one-on-on with a tenant from
going to the bank to pay bills, food shopping, going out for lunch,
going to the cinema, even going to a nightclub with them if we are
working a night shift. We are there to help them fulfil their lives
with things they would like to do, but ensuring they are safe and have
help whenever they need it.
What do you like about your job?
I get so much satisfaction out of my job. I get to help people everyday
with taking them out and teaching them how do things and making sure
they can get what they want out of life. We are trying to teach these
people to have independence. One example that sticks out in my mind is
teaching a tenant to make a curry when he couldn’t cook anything at
all. He still makes a curry once a week and I feel really good that I
have enabled someone to have that independence of being able to cook
themselves dinner once a week.
I like it that I can see progressions where people move out of the
flats into a more independent way of living. I do get upset when
tenants I had become close to leave, but I always know that I have
contributed to their new independence and there are more people out
there to care for.
Where would you like to be in 3-5 years time?
I fully intend to stay in the care profession and would like to become
a manager of a new project. New projects are set up in and around the
city to help more people and I would love to be given the
responsibility of setting up and being charge of other carers.
I would like to ensure that all carers are doing the best job they can
with tenants but I would also like to be hands on and go out and about
with the tenants.
What would you say to encourage other people into doing an Apprenticeship?
I would recommend the apprenticeship scheme as you learn so much! Doing
a real job has opened my eyes to equal opportunity issues that affect
people with learning disabilities which I don’t think they can teach
you to the full effect just doing a college course.
What would you say to encourage other people into your occupational area?
I think the care profession is really rewarding and there are so many
areas of work to choose from. There are lots of opportunities and also
opportunities to get promoted.
How do you find the combination of work and studying?
As I work shifts I do find studying hard sometimes. My manager does
give me support though and does try to help me if I have difficulties
with my NVQ portfolio.
I have already completed a certificate in the safe handling of drugs
but in the future I would also like to look into doing short courses in
‘infection control’ and ‘dementia care’.
I think apprenticeships are really worth doing and gaining a NVQ qualification gives you lots of opportunities.