Giving something back – Emma’s home care story

We would like to introduce you to Emma, a Shrewsbury care professional for Radfield Home Care.

Tell us about your previous care work/career background.

Home care was completely new to me as my past experience was in retail. Working in a shop meant I was in regular contact with people of all ages and I really liked this. I enjoyed seeing my regular customers and looked forward to our chats – this is what inspired me to start looking at the home care assistant role – building relationships with people and being recognised as a care professional.

What has inspired you to want to be involved in the adult social care sector?

I would probably say my grandmother has been my inspiration to be a caregiver, she is 101 and growing up she has always amazed me. We did loads of things together and she was really active, but unfortunately a few years ago she fell and had a hip replacement. As a family we have been there to help ensure she can continue to be active and as independent as possible, and as a granddaughter it’s great to be able to give something back to my community. I want to encourage others to live life to the full and help enable people to do that, just like I was able to help care and support my grandmother.

Why Radfield Home Care agency?

I think for me it was the family orientated values and welcoming approach I picked up on. You’re not just a number and you feel part of a family team and this is what made me apply for the Shrewsbury job opportunity. Thinking back to it, it has certainly worked out, my life at Radfield compliments my home life well.

When I went for my interview I was open about the type of hours I could work at present and they were happy to work around me. My little boy is going to school in September and so things could change again regarding my availability. I appreciate the flexibility that Radfield Home Care has been willing to offer me.

How did you get to hear about the job opportunity?

I saw the care assistant role online on the Indeed website, I was just scrolling through and it jumped out at me.

What are your career aspirations?

I definitely want to progress, this is a completely new area for me and I am keen to look into the qualifications I can aim for. I’m happy to start as someone new and work up the ladder.

Any special moments with clients you would like to share?

A male client that I care for is such an interesting person, he always jokes and says “sorry if I bore you”, far from it! He has lived such a varied and interesting life, such a humble man with a great sense of humour. I really look forward to the calls knowing that he really appreciates my support, especially at the moment as due to Coronavirus we are the only human contact he has.

Another client I look after had a stroke quite some time ago, but doesn’t let it get to her and you can have a good giggle with her while remaining professional. The care we provide is more important to her than ever before while she can’t see her family or her friends.

Do you have any inspiring photos/memories you may wish to share?

I recently became aware of a campaign, by a national cosmetic company, which aimed to provide hand creams to care professionals and was trying to get as many out to those who needed it. I was able to nominate Radfield and we received 26 hand creams which were really appreciated – important recognition for the hard work being carried out by carers across the country. They are certainly helping care for our hands after all the necessary protective procedures we follow.

What do you love most about your job and working for Radfield Home Care?

I would say I just love meeting people from all walks of life, from every corner and hearing their stories. Just knowing you are appreciated makes you feel great. I’ve not really experienced this in other jobs.

You can tell that the clients appreciate the high standard of care that Radfield delivers. Now I’m settled in the role, I naturally feel more comfortable and know what’s expected of me. I don’t feel rushed at all during my care visits and I know my clients most definitely benefit from this.