Choose care, change lives

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is highlighting what it's like to work as a carer in the adult social care sector, to encourage more people to consider caring as a career.

The Choose Care, Change Lives campaign aims to inspire people in the East Riding to consider working in the care sector, through hearing from those who do the role.

Carl and Megan highlight the reasons why they work in the care sector, the benefits the role can bring and why they love the work they do. 

There are 13,000 carer posts across the East Riding, working for the council or one of the care organisations.

Being a care worker could take place in a care home, someone's own home, supported accommodation or in the community and could be helping people of any age, background or ability, so every day is a chance to help someone in a different way.

Carl Adams works as a carer after deciding he wanted a career that would make his children proud. He was working in the sports industry as a lifeguard and trainer before deciding to look at other career opportunities. Carl began as a care assistant caring for people in their own homes. He completed training and then shadowed shifts of other experienced care workers. Carl progressed into a senior post within a care home, then became a team leader and deputy manager. He is now working for Harkins Care as a care coordinator for home care.

Carl said: "There's a good level of support to get you started and move into care posts that suit your skills. Working in care can be stressful, but there is a high level of job satisfaction knowing how much caring for someone impacts on their lives, and also the lives of family members. You can become a lifeline for family members and I'm still in touch with some families of those I've cared for.

"A lot of the work in the care sector now is enabling people to stay in their own home and enabling them to be as independent as possible, whilst ensuring they are safe and cared for.

"Whether you're working in a care home or home care, every day is completely different! Carers generally work on a rota system, working longer days, but fewer days, and this really works for some people and their other commitments. Other people may want to do less hours or different times, and the care organisations will work with this where it is possible, so there can be good flexibility for people. You build strong bonds with colleagues and there's good camaraderie within the sector.

"The most important skills are care and compassion and it helps to be able to think in other people's shoes. It's important to do the 'mum test' … as I carer I ask myself, is this the standard I'd want for my mum?

"If you're considering a change of career or you're just starting out, I'd encourage anyone with these skills to look into caring. I've never looked back."

Hear more from Carl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUUg30NpqDs

East Riding of Yorkshire council is hosting events for people to find out more, meet local care providers and the council's Choose Care team:

• Big Care Information Fair: Wednesday 7 June, 4pm-7pm at Toll Gavel United Church, Beverley
  -at 4.30pm Care Ambassadors will present their career journey and share their care stories, and at 6pm there will be a question and answer session with care sector experts.
• Wednesday 14 June, 1.30pm-2.30pm at Cottingham Adult Learning Centre, HU16 4DD
• Wednesday 21 June, 1pm-2pm and 6pm-7pm at Goole Adult Learning Centre, DN14 6DP
• Wednesday 28 June, 4pm-5pm and 6pm-7pm at Bridlington Adult Learning Centre, YO15 2DF
• Thursday 6 July, 1pm-2pm and 6pm-7pm at Beverley Adult Learning Centre, HU17 9LW

Any care provider wishing to find out how to participate in the event days can get in touch with the Choose Care team: choosecare@eastriding.gov.uk

Councillor David Tucker, portfolio holder for adults, health and care said: "One of the biggest challenges for adult social care, locally and nationally, is recruiting more people into the sector.

"We hope to inspire people through this campaign, and that people consider if a caring role could suit them."

Megan Johnson is a carer and she said: "Caring has allowed me flexibility around studying, and it is a great pathway into nursing. I love meeting the service users and hearing their life stories and you meet some amazing people along the way."

Hear more from Megan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHe0g_DCjy8

Are you considering a career change? Are you retired, but you'd like to work a reduced number of hours to keep active? Are you a parent or a student who would benefit from the flexible hours that you're able to work as a carer?

Find out more, hear other carers' experiences and view current job vacancies at: www.choosecareeastriding.co.uk