Not ready to retire • Caremark Kirklees

When Jacqui Roake left teaching after a career spanning more than 30 years, she decided she was not ready to retire and applied to become a Care Assistant with Caremark Kirklees.

“I might be in my fifties, but I didn’t want to become an old woman who just sat in a chair all day, I wanted a purpose and structure,” said Jacqui.

“I’m delighted that I took this job because it is a fantastic and much more fun and more interesting that I ever imagined.”

Jacqui, now 57, had wanted to be a teacher since her school days and after A-Levels gained her teaching degree and became a secondary school English teacher before retiring after 33 years’ service.

“I had spent some time caring for my mum and that’s what first gave me the idea of moving into home care support,” said Jacqui. “There are some excellent young carers but there is also a place for older people with life experience. It can help find common ground between you and the client and that helps create a trusting bond.”

Jacqui works up to 40 hours a week through choice. She says both teaching and caring deliver job satisfaction but there is a big difference when the shift is finished.

“I really enjoy my job and part of that is knowing when the working day is finished, my time is my own, I can switch off. Teaching isn’t like that. You still have planning, marking and meetings.”

And Jacqui is finding the wide range of clients she supports means she is learning new things everyday.

“They come from finance, education and one couple are farmers,” said Jacqui. “The conversation is always interesting, and I’ve ridden a tractor for the first time and been in a barn of cows.”

Outside of work Jacqui likes to relax with the novels of Harlan Coben and Liane Moriarty, watching historical dramas on Netflix or exploring Britain with husband Alan in their camper van.

She would encourage anyone thinking of joining home care support to give it a go regardless of age. “The key is to always be tactful and to treat people with dignity – as you would your own mum or dad,” she said.