A new and rewarding chapter in care

For Emily Hickey, joining Caremark Doncaster has opened up a new and rewarding chapter in care, marking a new and rewarding chapter in care for her career already shaped by learning, helping others and exploring different ways to support people.

Emily became a Care Assistant after completing a degree in education, psychology and counselling. She has also just started a master’s degree in psychology in September 2026.

Before joining Caremark Doncaster, she worked at McDonald’s while studying and also gained experience in schools, with children and as part of a safeguarding team.

“I felt like I’d done everything else,” Emily explains. “I’d worked with younger children and teenagers, and older people’s care was an area I hadn’t covered experience-wise, so I thought I’d try something different.”

Finding the right fit

Although moving into home care was a new experience, Emily quickly found that the role suited her. Visiting customers in their own homes could have felt daunting at first, but she soon discovered how much she enjoyed the hands-on nature of care and the opportunity to make a positive difference.

“You get to be yourself and help people,” she explains.

Emily has been with Caremark Doncaster for nearly two months and works full-time hours across four or five days a week. Now her master’s degree is starting, she plans to continue working alongside her studies, balancing around three days of care work with university and study time.

That combination of learning and practical experience is important to Emily, who sees her role at Caremark Doncaster as a valuable part of her future career journey.

“I thought I’d try something that would benefit my future and give me experience,” she adds.

Building experience for the future

Emily’s interest in psychology developed after volunteering at a primary school during the COVID-19 pandemic. She supported vulnerable children and the children of key workers and was later offered an apprenticeship. While she initially considered a career in primary education, her time in school helped her realise that psychology was the route she wanted to pursue.

Her work in care is now giving her insight into a wider range of needs and life stages. Emily supports customers of different ages, with the youngest person on her regular run aged 46 and the oldest aged 99.

“Every single customer is different… it’s nice to adapt to those changes,” she says.

Life outside of work

Outside work, Emily enjoys music festivals, hiking and spending time outdoors. Living in Doncaster, she likes heading to the Peak District to get out walking and she recently returned from Tomorrowland in Belgium — the world-famous music festival she enjoyed so much that she is already planning to go again next year.

For Emily, care work is more than a job alongside her studies. It is helping her build confidence, broaden her experience and understand how support can make a real difference at every stage of life.

About Caremark Doncaster

If, like Emily, you are studying but want to earn some money and gain some work/life experience at the same time, please view our home care jobs for students in Doncaster or call us today on 01302 201392.