You might think a job as an antique furniture restorer would be a dream role. However, one of our team members has swapped the gold leaf and furniture wax for daily welfare checks and support meetings as she has retrained to become a support worker for St Martins.
Her previous role working with well-heeled clients might seem a world away from her new role supporting people who have very little in the way of personal wealth or possessions, but she observes that everyone is just human, once you take the time to understand their background. Her motivation for change was to do a job where what she does benefits others.
Our new team member had gained some experience in care work for a few months before she joined St Martins. She instantly felt at home in the positive atmosphere at St Martins’ hostel. She said, “I think we all have preconceptions about what places are like. I am an open-minded person and it felt good when I came for my interview. And the team have made me feel welcome.”
Sometimes the hostel is very busy and loud with lots of people coming in and out and other times it’s calm. The new challenging environment is appealing because no two days are the same.
Advice for somebody who’s thinking of a career change into social care? “Give it a go! It’s good to try new things and you get back as much as you give.”
“Ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid of asking again. Everyone here is helpful and wants to add to your knowledge.”
“It’s refreshing to have people supporting me in my role.”
“Seeing the smile on people’s faces is brilliant. Simple things, such as when you ask people how they are can make a big difference, especially when they don’t necessarily have their own social networks.”