My working day begins at 7.30am when I arrive at Daisy’s, calling up to let her know I’m here before putting the kettle on ready for her morning brew. Then it’s up the stairs to help Daisy out of bed and into the bathroom. Daisy likes to wash herself because she is still quite self-sufficient. 

While Daisy’s in the bathroom, I have to dash around, making the bed and emptying the commode while keeping one ear open in case I’m needed. Daisy likes to choose what she wants to wear, but I give her a hand as she needs help with fastening buttons or putting on her stockings. I help Daisy down to the kitchen for her breakfast and a cup of tea and while she is tucking into her cereal I have a quick check around to make sure all is tidy then it’s a wave goodbye and I’m on my way to see Mr Williams. 

Mr Williams lives alone two miles from Daisy and suffers with dementia. He needs reminding to take his medication so I pop in at 8.15am. Once we’ve finished discussing the weekend’s football action I’m on my way to see Mavis who lives a few doors away. Mavis doesn’t like an early call so I get there about 9am. First I help Mavis get out of bed as she has arthritis and finds it difficult. I assist her in getting to the loo and then get her ready for the day. Mavis has no family and often I am the only person she sees through the day and I know she really appreciates me calling in to help her. Even though I have a very busy schedule while I’m making her a cup of tea and helping her get washed, dressed and eat her breakfast. I make sure I have a nice natter with Mavis as well. 

Time is getting on and my next call is a bit of a drive away to visit Miss Smith and her cat, Tigger. Miss Smith is visually impaired and although she can get herself washed and dressed she needs me to help to make her breakfast and a hot drink and of course for Miss Smith the main priority is for me to feed Tigger. My morning has flown by and it’s time for me to grab a quick break before I start to do lunch runs. My lunch round is similar to the morning run but I have to closely watch the clock to make sure everyone gets a meal within a sensible slot. It’s surprising how you can prepare a basic meal, make a drink, have a chat and still manage to get around everybody. 

My last call is back to Miss Smith. Today she would like an omelette so it’s out with the frying pan and it’s sizzling in no time. Of course, I have to make sure there’s enough left over for Tigger! We always have a chat in the kitchen while I’m cooking her lunch which I know she appreciates. 

Then that’s it for me, time to go home and put my feet up for a while. I don’t have any tea time calls planned but I may get an emergency call as things can change quickly with people who need help. 

One of the things I love about this job is the variety. When you’re dealing with people who need that little bit of extra help no two days are ever the same as their health and wellbeing needs change, but I always feel, as I go through my day, that I am making a little difference to people’s lives and that makes it all so worthwhile.

In 2011 my grandad became very ill and that’s where my story begins. After helping to care for my grandad, who sadly passed away, I then realised that my passion was to care for vulnerable adults within their own home to ensure that people like my grandad get the best care they possibly can. Once I completed my probation I started my NVQ level 2 and have never looked back. I enjoyed gaining the knowledge to make me a better care worker. After completing my Level 2 I decided that I wanted to move on to the next step. I was made a senior care worker. I thoroughly enjoyed this position as I was very involved with my colleagues and the service users. Whilst doing the senior carer role I completed my level 3 in Health and Social care. 

A team leader positon became available which I applied for and was successful – I enjoyed having the close contact with service users and ensuring that their needs were being met within their care plan. I liked to make sure that reviews/assessments etc. were completed on time, correctly and changes were made where necessary. I then decided that I would like a more challenging role to understand how the office operates; after sitting with the care coordinator I decided that was the job that I wanted to do. Luckily a position was open and I was recruited for that role. 

I absolutely loved the care coordinator role as it means working to a deadline and making sure things are completed; within this role you have to ensure that rotas are completed a week or two in advance, communicating with service users, family and care workers. It is important as a care coordinator to build professional relationships with the local authority and other health care professionals to meet the needs and wishes of all the service users. I had to ensure that all team leaders were up to date with all the reviews and care staff supervisions. It is important to build a good working relationship with all of the team to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.

Within a care coordinator role, you really get to understand how the operations run within the office. 

As the company was growing and we had got new block contracts there was a decision made to expand the team and I was made the Support Manager. Throughout my time I completed my Level 5 in Management and leadership. I gained a lot of knowledge throughout this role and decided that I wanted to manage my own branch. In Dec 2016, I became the Manager for the Thetford branch. I love working within this branch and feel that I am sharing my knowledge with the team and we are thriving as an office. I feel confident knowing I have the continued support of my colleagues and the senior management team. 

I feel proud to work in the healthcare industry and still continue to learn and improve my skills and career. This industry can help anyone to expand their knowledge and can progress within any aspect of healthcare.