Amelia has recently joined Hamilton George Care and has been looking after clients for three months. We asked her why she became a carer, what she liked about her work and what advice she had for others looking for a role in care.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your background
I was born and bred in Burnley near Manchester. I grew up with my three younger brothers and sister and loved being part of a big family.
Ever since I was young, I was always the person in the friend or family group who was interested in helping others. Shortly after school I took my first job in care, providing mental health support in my local community. From then I did my degree in Mental Health nursing which was the best possible foundation for my work in care.
I’ve just come back this February after one and half years travelling around Australia and South East Asia. It was a bit daunting going on my own but it was just the most brilliant experience and I was so lucky to visit some incredible places and make some wonderful friends.
Why did you want to be a carer?
One big turning point came when I was about 14 with some friends from school. An elderly gentleman had a seizure just across the road. The others didn't know what to do, but I ran over to help and made sure he was looked after until the emergency services arrived. I was recognised and awarded at school and it was such a special moment for me, realising I could help people like that. I saw him a few weeks later in town and I've never forgotten that rewarding feeling of helping someone in need.
What do you think makes a good carer?
The ability to empathise with the person you’re caring for is key. Taking the time to understand their needs and wishes is vital before you start any placement. I love that at Hamilton George we have the chance to meet our clients in an interview, taking this time to get an understanding of who they are and what they need. The care plan is a brilliant guide but you also need to take it step by step when you arrive, to make sure that you’re providing as person centred care as possible. Building rapport with them so you can help to improve their lives.
And it’s so important to want to do your best. Care can be hard, but rewarding, work so whatever happens you need to have the desire to try.
What are the highs and lows of care?
For me the most rewarding aspect of care is knowing that you’ll be going into someone's home and making a real difference. Every placement is different and you need to tailor your approach, but the main aim is to provide them with a life-enhancing experience and improve their life in any way you can.
However the isolation can be difficult, though this varies from placement to placement. It’s important to keep in touch with your friends and family and maintain those connections.
I’m very lucky as I love travelling and so have friends all over. Sometimes a placement puts me closer to a friend and this is wonderful as I have the chance to connect with them and see and experience their home.
How do you connect with your clients?
I always make sure to start off at their own pace. Some people can come in bubbly and bouncy which may initially seem comforting, but people don't always connect with that. Recognise who they are and know their illnesses. My care experience and nursing degree has helped me to read people and understand their phobias and anxieties. You need to slowly build a rapport, know and understand their interests so you can draw on what you have in common.
Usually for me, this means conversation about travel. Where we have both been so we can compare and share stories. I also love to talk about nature and food. It’s easy to find common topics of interest if you take your time.
What’s been a career/placement highlight so far?
I’ve been to lots of different areas of the UK and Ireland. I love to see new places and meet new people. On breaks you can make the most of your time to see and do things you wouldn't necessarily experience if you were on holiday - little towns, hidden treasures.
My first ever placement right by the sea, a small town near Belfast. I had my own flat so there was more freedom and it was absolutely beautiful. There was a storm pretty much every day but it was stunning.
Why did you choose live-in care over hourly?
I love the freedom of being able to work when I want and need. You can almost pick and choose your schedule, and live-in care can be very flexible. I also love meeting the family beforehand as you get to know them a bit before you commit. This initial meeting gives you so much more information to prepare yourself, take the time to get to know them and make sure you do the best job possible.
What advice would you give to someone considering working in care?
Make sure it's something you really really want to do. You have to be the type of person who can turn off and reflect. Hard times can happen - but you need to look past them and think of the differences your support can make on a day to day basis.
I’ve been so lucky with all my placements and have got on with everyone I've been with so far. There are always some that stand out though. And I worked with a 93 year old woman who was so inspiring, so many stories to tell and she had a unique soul. She was fiercely independent and so active in her community. I just love that I can be part of someone's life like that.
What would you do if you weren’t a carer
I would definitely have been a travel agent. I've just got the travel bug and am currently driving a campervan around Scotland!
Or maybe a scuba diving instructor!!
