“I’m a care worker at Care in Hand, and until a few years ago, I was working as an IT and Web Consultant in Tenby. After several years working in an office environment, I decided that I wanted a career change. I went through all the normal questions, wondering if I was doing the right thing, but I knew if I didn’t take a chance I knew I’d probably be in a job that wasn’t fulfilling me for the rest of my life.

“I looked into different care providers in Pembrokeshire and came across Care in Hand. I was impressed by the training programmes they offered and, unlike other companies in the area, Care in Hand was able to offer work-based learning opportunities in-house as part of the job. After working on a decent wage for several years, it was also important for me to know I could do a job that I enjoyed while also being able to survive on my wage.

“I had some fears, social care being something completely new to me, but I decided to take the plunge and applied for a community carer post. I went for an interview and had a really good talk with the management team who were very helpful and told me everything I needed to know about the job. They understood that it was a big change for me and were fully supportive despite my lack of experience at the time, reassuring me that they would support me every step of the way.

“I accepted the job and soon started a 12 week training programme where I attended a number of training days, including first aid and moving and handling. I had to complete a five day induction course before I had any access to clients, which in itself made me feel reassured that I had enough time to learn. 

“One year on, I have now completed my NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care and continue to learn new things through regular training. The job is very rewarding and I get to meet so many people as it’s very community focused. When I think back to my first day, I remember feeling very excited but extremely nervous and, although I don’t regret making the career change, if I had to do it all again tomorrow, I’d do it in a flash!"

“I was inspired to become a community carer after I was the main carer for my mother, who fell ill a few years ago. My local authority put me in touch with Care in Hand, as one of their approved care providers in the area, and I contacted them to see whether they could help offer some extra support.

“After some time working with a team of carers, I built strong relationships with them. I really admired how they managed to help my mum, treating her so patiently and with such dignity, and it really made me think about how rewarding a career in social care could be. And so, when I saw a job advertised in the local paper to become a community carer with Care in Hand, I really wanted to apply. At the time, I doubted myself quite a bit as I didn’t have any formal qualifications, but Care in Hand gave me the chance to train and become a community carer.

“Since joining Care in Hand two years ago, I have achieved various qualifications, including a NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care and I’m continuing with my CPD (continuous personal development) and hope to soon gain a formal qualification in team leading. I’ve formed really strong working relationships with my clients and all the members of the Care in Hand team. I’m so proud that I can now call those who supported my mum at the time, my friends as well as work colleagues.

“All in all, I feel very lucky to be where I am today. I’m doing a job I love, which offers me the flexibility I need to work around my family commitments and generally speaking, it offers me great work-life balance. Becoming a community carer was the right decision for me, and I would thoroughly recommend anyone who’s thinking of a career in social care to just give it a go.”

“After leaving school I was so unsure about what I wanted to do next. The natural step seemed to continue with my education, so I enrolled on a course with Pembrokeshire College and studied towards a NVQ in Business Administration. I soon realised though that a career in business wasn’t for me.

“I had been helping to look after my grandfather during my spare time as a student, going to collect his shopping and helping him with the cleaning and cooking. I really enjoyed it, and it made me realise that it could be a good way forward for me. So, I looked into my options, further education or work based learning, and soon realised that learning on the job would be a more interesting option.

“I heard about the training Care in Hand offered, and I contacted them to find out about working with them. Although I didn’t have any formal qualifications, they employed me as one of their community carers and they enrolled me on the Induction Framework Programme, where I learnt about social care. I was also allowed to learn from experienced, senior carers who helped me with the day-to-day practicalities of the job.

“The training offered is ideal for new starters as well as more experienced care professionals who can develop their knowledge through the CPD (continuous professional development) policy. As a recently qualified carer, I feel completely confident that I can carry out my work well and safe in the knowledge that I am doing it right. I recently achieved a NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care and have been encouraged to continue studying towards an Open University Course in Health and Social Care, which will be a great help as I work towards my main goal of becoming a qualified nurse.

“Caring is not a career that immediately springs to mind for school leavers but I would encourage anyone that has a caring nature or a passion for communicating and being with people to consider it. Many of the people I look after like to see young carers- they always say that we help them feel and stay young!  We have great conversations about the same places we have visited; we share school memories and chat about how things are different now compared with the time when they were my age.

“Each day is so rewarding and the people we help have lived such varied and interesting lives that every day is also very different.”

“I joined Care in Hand in July (2011). Prior to that, I spent several years working with people to improve their health and wellbeing working as a Personal Trainer. I really enjoyed my job as it gave me the chance to work with people and help them to lead better lives. The fact that I also became a father when I was quite young made me realise the value of life and brought out the caring side in me more.

“Today, I work as a Live in Support Worker with Care in Hand and have gained a lot of experience working with elderly and terminally ill clients already. My job involves me spending two week periods with a small number of clients, of which most don’t require intense care, but feel happier knowing that they have the support available when they need it.

“Apart from the care, a big part of being a live in support worker is being able to socialise with clients. Some clients feel socially isolated within their own homes and we give many of them the confidence to realise that they can be a part of the community, regardless of their illness or disability.

“For six months now, I’ve been working with Paul Murch, who has Huntingdon’s disease. I stay with Paul for two week periods and share that time with another carer, Barrie. Paul is very independent and is able to do a lot himself, but I think we give him the assurance needed to make him come out of his shell more. Hopefully we are helping him to lead a fuller life.

"I enjoy my job, the fact it gives me a good sense of work-life balance and allows me to be with people all the time and to be out and about in the community.“