In every corner of our communities there are unsung heroes making a big impact in the lives of those around them. They make a valuable contribution, putting a smile on the faces of those they care for and consistently placing others above themselves.
Careers in the adult social care sector can be challenging, often supporting elderly and vulnerable individuals. But they are also hugely rewarding, and our borough could not function without the dedication and commitment of our carers. Throughout the care sector in this borough alone, there are many roles and responsibilities across a wide-range of different settings and locations. Likewise, there are many different routes into these rewarding careers. And that’s why Wigan Council and its partner organisations have a number of tailor-made schemes available that are helping our residents gain the skills and experience they need. In the following pages, the Borough Life team meets with five dedicated individuals who perform different roles and have had varied introductions to their careers. We asked them what they value about their jobs and why they would recommend what they do to others, to provide a snapshot into life in a caring role.
Shauna Barton
Shauna Barton, 36, is the CEO of Care Choice North West and has worked in the sector for 17 years. Inspired by her mother who was a support worker in Wigan, Shauna’s passion for care began at 14. “The incredible impact my mother had as part of the lives of the individuals she supported gave me the desire to help people,” she explains. Starting as a carer with no business experience, she founded Care Choice North West in 2015. Today, it is one of Wigan’s largest care companies with 250 staff. Shauna has proudly completed numerous qualifications and is pursuing a diploma in leadership and management. “I am dyslexic and have ADHD; I view my unique perspective as a strength that enhances my ability to lead a company that delivers exceptional care. “The joy of seeing the smiles of the individuals we support is profoundly rewarding and I credit the success of Care Choice to my dedicated team. “Many people think care is solely about personal assistance, but I believe it goes much deeper. “It’s about changing lives and experiencing personal growth.”
Warren Porter
Warren Porter, 36, is a support worker at Cherish UK and has been working in care for almost three years. “The best bit about the job is seeing people I support smile when I arrive,” he explains. “You really can make a difference to someone’s life by just being there for them.” For Warren, the biggest myth about working in care is that it means dealing with ‘difficult’ people. “They are just people in the community like you and me who want to enjoy every day as best they can,” he says. “I would recommend this job for anyone who wants to make a real difference in their community and isn’t interested in the boring nine- to-five job sitting behind a desk all day.”
Gemma Raymond
Gemma Raymond, 39, is a Team Leader at CareTech with eight years of experience. CareTech is an organisation that provides supported living help for residents, helping them to live as independently as possible. Her journey began by helping her family, which inspired her to pursue a career in care. “One big myth about working in care is that it is all about doing things for the individuals,” she says. “This is not the case at all. I am very privileged in my role to be able to support both the individuals and the staff to have positive outcomes every day.” Gemma told us that her favourite part of the job is that no two days are the same and she is able to help people she supports to live their best lives.
Natasha Sharp
Natasha Sharp, 35, is a dementia support worker at the Heathside Residential Home in Leigh. She is part of a dedicated and highly-skilled team at the Plank Lane facility that supports around two dozen older people and also provides a reablement service. “I find it very rewarding; I love supporting our residents,” she explains. “I know I am making a difference to people’s lives and helping others. It’s not just personal care, we’re able to have fun and encourage our residents with activities, such as dancing. We give comfort and are like a family.” Natasha has been working within the care sector for two years. She would recommend it as a career because of the experience of making that important difference in someone’s life.
Dane Ramsdale
Dane Ramsdale, 32, is a Mobile Support Worker with Wigan Council with three years experience. “I got into care as I wanted a career change after working in retail for 16 years,” he explains. “I knew care would be the best move after being told by many people that I should go for it.” A mobile support worker is a real all-rounder, helping residents in a variety of ways across a range of care settings. It didn’t take long for Dane to appreciate just how fulfilling the job can be, feeling like he is making a difference every day and seeing the smiles on people’s faces. It is a career he would recommend to everyone. “It’s very rewarding and can make you feel great, especially when you have made a real positive impact to someone’s day. “There is nothing better than helping and supporting people whilst gaining valuable life skills along the way. “Care workers have high levels of emotional intelligence which allows them to listen, engage with people and build relationships.”
Pathways into care
If this snapshot into careers in adult social care has inspired you, there are lots of ways to take that all-important first step. For those still at school and considering their options, Wigan and Leigh College offers a range of qualifications. All include work placements with local employers with lots of options. Or you can apply for roles through Wigan Council’s campaign Care To Join Us? There are a range of roles with the council or local providers. www.wigan.gov.uk/caretojoin
Wigan Council offers Step Into Care traineeships for 16- 18 year olds, and for adults, we offer pre-employment programmes to give a taster of care before applying. Alternatively if you’ve left university and are looking for roles such as social worker, occupational therapist, registered manager or speech and language therapist then take a look at www.greater.jobs/wigan
It is also worth keeping an eye on opportunities with our partners at NHS Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL).