Working in care can be so rewarding. It might be just the job for you
When most people think of the duties of a carer, they will often assume one of the following — cleaning, feeding and meal preparation, personal assistance, aiding someone to get from A to B, or possibly helping with the taking of medication where necessary.
When I think of a carer, there is so much more. These are the people who make sure our loved ones maintain their dignity, provide care and company when relatives or friends can’t always be there and make sure that everyone, regardless of age, capacity or capability, is truly looked after and treated with the respect they deserve.
During the pandemic, our staff at Jewish Care did even more than care for people. Sometimes at huge personal risk, they put the needs of our residents and tenants well above their own and made sure that they were there when they were needed most.
They did not do this because it came as part of the job description. They did it because they were part of a team and environment that connected them to their roles and they truly cared about our residents, as well as their colleagues and teammates.
Working in care means that you are almost always part of a team. And as part of a close-knit team, many of our staff are also friends, supporting each other whenever they can.
Their sense of duty and commitment — not just to those they care for, but those they work with — remains unparalleled.
And for so many, working in the care sector is much more than a mere occupation.
Yet despite this sincere and commendable commitment from care staff across the country, the sector is finding it a real challenge to recruit and retain staff.
This has been the case for some time but the pandemic has brought many issues around the sector and its funding into sharp focus.
Jewish Care has not escaped that challenge but we have taken significant steps to try and ensure that people know how valuable a role in care is, and that working for us, they will have plenty of opportunities.
We recently aligned our pay to the London Living Wage, ensuring that all of our care staff receive a competitive package when working with us. And we make a concerted effort to ensure that they are nurtured and valued in a way that benefits both them and those we care for.
At Jewish Care, we are always keen for our staff to develop personally and professionally and many of our registered managers started out as carers with us before undertaking additional training and working their way up through various positions to have the requisite experience to manage a care home or retirement living facility.
Behind the scenes of the care sector, there are so many additional roles and duties that go unnoticed but are crucial to the smooth running of any care home. These include the numerous teams of housekeeping and catering staff who make sure that infection control practices are adhered to; who make sure laundry is done regularly; who make sure that everyone has good, nutritious food to eat.
These jobs are not often thought of as traditional caring roles but they are essential and varied.
Volunteering in care is also a way to experience just how much the sector has to offer. Every week across our services we have people who provide a huge range of support simply because they enjoy it. This can include running a chair-based exercise class; being a manicurist; befriending and talking to those who would like additional company; leading an arts and crafts session.
There are so many roles available that we rely on volunteers to fill. But they are also a perfect opportunity to explore whether the setting is right for them.
We are so proud of the staff we have. Yet so many people out there may not realise just what working in care really is all about.
It’s more than just looking after others. It’s about looking after yourself, expanding your skills and networks and improving, learning and growing, both personally and professionally.
If looking for your next role or a new opportunity, visit doyouwish.org to find out more.