Meet the women who changed careers to become care workers

Transferring important skills from their former jobs and gaining new qualifications through funded training courses was part of the journey to rewarding new careers for these care workers

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The health and social care sector has plenty of opportunities for a rewarding career, with vacancies suitable for a wide range of skill and qualification levels.

Here, two care workers explain their decision to move into a career within health and social care…

Rosie, care worker in North Yorkshire

Rosie, 25, spent several years working as an office admin/customer service assistant with a double glazing company. Earlier this year, she decided to pursue a career change, and became a care worker covering North Yorkshire and nearby regions.

"I was furloughed back in March when Covid-19 hit, and started thinking more about doing something different,” she says.

Rosie found a company who were doing home care in her local area, applied for the role and landed a job in May.

She was able to transfer skills she’d used in her previous role. “I’m a chatty person, and a lot of this work involves chatting to people who might not get a chance to see anybody or go outside, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic,” she says. 

One of the most rewarding parts of the job is that you meet a real variety of great people

Rosie

Working with people who may be wary of receiving support can be challenging but there is also a lot of job satisfaction.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the job is that you meet a real variety of great people. I love hearing about their stories and past experiences. You learn a lot from them. You want to help them out, help them maintain their independence, and make sure they have the best quality of life in their later years.”

There has also been an opportunity to gain qualifications through a variety of funded training courses.

“I’m currently doing a Level 2 NVQ in health and social care, which I don’t have to pay for,” Rosie explains. “I’m also doing a Level 3 access course so that I can go to uni to study nursing next year."

What advice would she give someone who was considering a career change to care work?

“If you enjoy communicating and getting to know people and you have a caring attitude towards people, then care work would be the perfect role for you. It’s not like a lot of other jobs: it’s hard work, but it’s really varied, and there are lots of progression routes.”

Camilla, care worker from Worcester

Having spent four years building up her business as a driving instructor, the decision to change careers during the Covid-19 pandemic was not easy for Camilla, 32.  

“Two weeks before the lockdown, quite a few people weren’t comfortable having lessons – both because they were worried about the virus, but because everyone’s financial priorities shifted too,” she explains.  

“Then the two-metre distancing rule was implemented and I knew that wasn’t possible in a car. It wasn’t essential work, either.”  

It’s hugely uplifting, because clients are so happy they can stay in their home environments and get that extra support

Camilla

Realising her income had shrunk to virtually nothing overnight, Camilla took action.  

She filled out an online application for a family-run organisation providing home care to the elderly and vulnerable. Within days, she had landed a role as full-time care assistant.

Covering towns across Worcestershire, Camilla’s new job involves visiting elderly people in their homes to help with anything from food shopping to personal care.

“Some need help with medication, or things like opening the curtains, making beds or washing up – whatever they need really,” she explains. “It’s really important they are able to keep their independence and we don't take over. We always know what each person is capable of doing and wants – or doesn’t want – to do.”

The opportunity has provided a lifeline, she says: “The care work saved me financially over lockdown, I don't think I would have been able to cope without it.”  

It also proved unexpectedly rewarding. “It’s hugely uplifting, because people are so happy they can stay in their home environments and get that extra support. It’s uplifting for their families too, because they were trying to do it all themselves.”

Camilla currently works part-time in both roles with the aim of eventually becoming a full-time care worker. For now, the combination works well. “I’m very grateful that the current situation gave me the chance to try something new. It’s worked out really well,” she says.

There are thousands of exciting, engaging and fulfilling jobs in the health and social care sector open right now. To find out more, visit everydayisdifferent.com