CARE TO JOIN ME HERE?
LEAVING school at 16 to become a carer for her poorly grandma, Humera Majid had no thought for her own future.
Having had dreams of becoming an airline stewardess, she struggled to work out a career path. But when her grandma died, Humera, 22, from Leeds, realised she had already discovered the best job for her – caring.
What job do you do?
I am a healthcare assistant with Maria Mallaband, a care home company, and I love it.
It is like one big family and we build up great relationships with the residents. I work shifts and I’m there to help all the clients with whatever needs they have.
It can be quite hectic and it all depends on what time of day it is, whether you are helping someone get dressed or having their lunch. I might be administering medicine one minute then moving someone the next, or just spending time sharing stories.
It has been very difficult in recent months with Covid-19 – the regulations and adjustments we have to make all the time can be a challenge, but I get there.
I don’t mind what it takes – I am such a people person all I want to do is make life as easy as possible for the clients.
Why did you leave school at 16?
I had done my GCSEs and moved into my dad’s, who lived with my grandma. She had dementia and I just decided it was the best thing all round for me to look after her.
I adapted to it really quickly as I was very close to my grandma. There is no doubt it was difficult and, although I was still able to be a teenager with friends,
I grew up a lot more quickly than normal.
When she passed, it hit me that I wanted to work in care, because there are so many other people’s grandmas who don’t have anyone there for them.
The problem was that her death hit me really badly and my confidence disappeared.
I took a job where I was travelling the UK as a live- in care assistant, but I found that so exhausting and it was unreliable.
When lockdown came in March I just stopped with no idea what would happen next.
How did you find work again?
I went to the Jobcentre who referred me to The Prince’s Trust Get Started in Health and Social
Care programme. In July I did a remote course and they instantly made me feel so comfortable.
We did lots of interview preparation too and I got helpful feedback from my mock interviews.
The staff did an amazing job of always keeping the course exciting – it never got boring.
I also appreciate that they stay in contact with you for six months after the course is completed to see how you are doing.
It’s good to have extra support from someone who knows you.
I finished the course with a successful job interview with Maria Mallaband, and started work with them almost immediately.
How has life changed?
It’s a huge change for me going from unstable employment to this.
I couldn’t find that by myself no matter how hard I tried and I know I wouldn’t have got here without The Prince’s Trust, so I’m really grateful for their support. I’m excited to seize this opportunity.
GET STARTED
No matter how impossible it seems there is help and guidance out there to boost your skills and confidence to help you to get a job, or to even set up on your own.
The Prince’s Trust is a charity with a vast range of schemes on offer to help people up to age 30 build confidence, get a job and cope with the pandemic world (princes-trust.org.uk).
If you have a business idea, check out the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme, which is encouraging unemployed young people to take the first step with courses, possible grants, loans and mentors. You can find details on the Prince’s Trust website.
Shell LiveWIRE offers similar guidance with cash prizes of up to £10,000 (shell-livewire.org).
Local authorities also offer small business grants that could be of use and some banks offer free services too.
If you left school with few qualifications and feel you need more help to find work, check out gov. uk/ guidance/ traineeships. Traineeships provide training and work experience.
Premier League Works, (premierleague.com, search under community programmes), also offers courses supported by the Professional Footbal lers’ Association and Prince’s Trust.
There are so many other grandmas who don’t have anyone there for them
HELP OTHERS
If you wish to donate to the Prince’s Trust, which currently funds a critical helpline for young people, visit princes-trust.org.uk.