What our carers think care should be
We asked Natalie, an experienced carer, to tell us “What Care Means” being part of the growing Friends Helping at Home family
At Friends Helping at Home, we are really keen to share the amazing stories of our service providers.
Our dedicated team of carers work tirelessly to support clients across the South West.
In this blog, we celebrate the lovely Natalie!
Natalie has worked in both our Plymouth and Torbay branches and continues to share the love across the South West.
How did your journey in care begin?
I worked in a supermarket for a while and found that I was having a lot of panic attacks.
I noticed how much focussing on other people calmed me so I decided to change my job to something more people focussed.
I got a job in a small care home in Newton Abbot and it changed my life.
Now there is nothing that I would rather do.
Why do you love your work so much?
I find it really comforting to know how much I am able to help someone.
Especially when you are helping someone stay in their home.
There’s no place like home – you really can save someone by doing something (however small) to keep them there.
When I am with a client I feel like I can really be myself – if I didn’t need to have a job, I would do it anyway.
What was it like working through the height of the Covid-19 lockdown?
I didn’t really think about it, to be honest.
I thought more about PPE and things like that but my actual job was the same.
For me, it doesn’t matter what is in the way.
Some people needed more support without family and friends to help them.
There has also been a change in the amount of emotional support I have to give my clients but that’s ok – I’m glad I can be there for them.
What advice do you have for young people considering a career in care?
I would say if you’re thinking about it then go for it.
I would also say it’s really important to make sure that you have the support that you need for all of the other things that go with work so that you can just focus on your clients and their needs.
Find out more about how to join our Care Revolution and become one of our team of carers in Devon, like Natalie!
