A smile makes all the difference – Joanne’s carer story

We would like to introduce you to Joanne, care assistant for Radfield Home Care Harrogate, Wetherby and North Yorkshire.

Tell us about your previous care work/career background.

I have always been involved in office admin, and then about 10 years ago I moved into the care sector as a housekeeper at a residential care home where I really loved being able to spend time with the residents. I soon moved into the kitchen and it was so enjoyable as I was dealing with the residents directly.

My company at the time would always ask ‘would you come over to the care side and become a care assistant’? At that stage though I never thought I could handle the personal care side of the role, but then a life event showed me that I could and I didn’t need to worry about it at all.

I became a family caregiver for my mum who was very ill and I moved in with her to provide the essential care at home that she needed – it was then that I realised that I could do this, that being a care professional was for me.

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

This was influenced heavily by my time as a housekeeper and from working in the kitchen. I was with the care home residents quite a bit and you really do get to know them. You realise that they often need care and support to do basic day to day things and they are so grateful for your help.

Why Radfield Home Care Agency?

When I was looking to go into home care I did have a look at all the other companies in the area and Radfield was the only one that I thought seemed like it not only cared for its clients, it was committed to caring for its care professionals too.

Also, they provide longer calls, which means you have enough time to do what you need to do with the clients, which allows you to to provide them with the best quality of care. If a client visit needs to be a little bit longer then the office will sort this out and you don’t feel stressed to get the job done. It’s about what the client needs and making sure we provide the highest quality care, there’s no cutting corners.

When I went for the interview I was really nervous, they were professional but also very down to earth, so it felt like a family straight away. They said during the interview that they wouldn’t expect me to go out and go straight to the job and that I would be shadowing someone for quite a while and conducting inhouse training. When you’ve got that little bit of knowledge it’s really helpful and gives you that needed confidence – you are never on your own.

How did you get to hear about the job opportunity?

Luckily I knew Leah Coates, care coordinator, at Radfield Harrogate, Wetherby and North Yorkshire as we used to work together in a previous job and used to see the facebook posts she put out there about Radfield. It looked like a really friendly, professional, caring company. I thought I would give it a go so I applied for a job opportunity I had seen advertised and I’ve never looked back.

What are your career aspirations?

I am very happy where I am at the moment, I’ve really just started my career as a home care assistant and I’ve got lots to learn. If I need any training I just have to ask, the support to do your day to day job, and to progress, is there.

Any special moments with clients you would like to share?

There are so many. The thing that I like, is that our clients smile when they see you. You know you are there to help them by providing home care and it’s even more special when you haven’t seen them for a while. We have one client who is unable to talk and when I do see him he has a big beaming smile on his face and it just melts your heart. It’s the little signs of appreciation that just make your day.

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

Working for Radfield feels like you’re working for a family not a company. It’s very professional but it’s very close knit, you just have to pick up the phone and call someone if you need help. It’s so satisfying and rewarding, every time I come home I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile and that’s making a positive difference to our client’s quality of life. I’m so glad I applied for the role at Radfield.