This year has given us all a chance to reflect on what we do for work – and for many it could mean seeking a more exciting or rewarding career.
With thousands of opportunities for health-related jobs, why not make your next role in adult social care?
There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve made a difference
For 20-year-old Maisie, helping elderly customers in retail was never enough – but it made a great stepping stone to her first job in adult social care.
‘I was always getting told off for chatting too long,’ says Maisie, who retrained when she was 18. ‘The people I called in customer services were often older and quite lonely, so they were grateful to talk.
‘It made me want to help on a more personal level, so I started looking into adult social-care roles.’
Maisie took time out of her A-levels to complete a four-day course which set her on the right track for a care-worker role, undertaking home care in the community for people over 60.
She explains: ‘I had transferable skills such as problem-solving and clear communication, but in terms of care, I was starting from scratch. The training was brief but exciting, and now I do what I love!’
From day to day, Maisie can be helping with food preparation, providing support to people to get dressed or simply sharing a cup of tea and a chat, meaning that no two days are ever the same.
‘You never quite know what to expect,’ says Maisie. ‘It’s not always the easiest job: some days it’s challenging and emotionally draining, but I get so much out of it. You’re always learning from the people you meet because they’re so much wiser than we are.
‘In return, you have to be a friendly and trustworthy person to do this job. After all, you’re going into people’s homes. I would always want my grandparents to be treated nicely, so I try to give 100 per cent to everything – even making a sandwich! And even though we wear masks now, you can tell we’re smiling.
‘There is nothing better than going to sleep knowing that you’ve made a difference. It’s such a fulfilling job.’
It’s so rewarding to contribute something to society
After being furloughed from an office role in March, 25-year-old Rosie successfully retrained in a more ‘varied and fulfilling’ home-care assistant role.
‘I haven’t looked back,’ says Rosie, who spent the past nine years working for a double-glazing company. ‘I never felt passionate or proud of my job; it didn’t feel like I was really making a difference in the world.
‘When Covid-19 hit, it made me think about doing something more varied, and I discovered there were a lot of social-care vacancies.’
In England, there are 112,000 adult social-care vacancies available at any one time. Rosie found a job in home care within her local area quickly and easily, without needing any qualifications.
‘There’s a lot of training on the job,’ she says. ‘Shadowing colleagues and learning from them. It helped that I’m organised and efficient in managing my time thanks to my previous role.
‘One of the things I love most is that there are so many routes you can follow. I really enjoy care work, but I’m excited to develop my clinical skills.
‘Since starting, I’ve been offered so much funded training, including short courses in nutrition and infection control, plus the chance to complete a Nurse Practitioner degree. I’m currently doing a Level 2 NVQ in Health & Social Care – which I don’t have to pay for – alongside a Level 3 access course so that I can go to university to study nursing next year.’
Five months after transforming her career, Rosie says she feels much more fulfilled by her role and would recommend it to anyone looking for a change as a result of Covid-19.
She adds: ‘I really feel like I’m contributing to society, especially working in my local community. If you enjoy getting to know people, and you have a caring attitude, then care work would be perfect for you.’
Visit everydayisdifferent.com
There are thousands of fulfilling and engaging jobs in the social care sector, with many vacancies available right now.
Many do not require any minimum qualifications and provide on-the-job training. Others pay you while you train.
Learn more at everydayisdifferent.com.
This is UK Government information for readers in England only