Keeping it in the family

Daughters following their mums into the caring professions is not unusual but for Sharon Rowbottom keeping it in the family was the other way round.

After working many years on a factory floor and then as a cleaner, Sharon decided she needed a new challenge. Interested in daughter Amie’s work at Caremark Mansfield & Ashfield she decided to give it a go.

“I’ve been here for seven months and I was wary at first about going into peoples’ homes, wondering how they would feel,” said Sharon. “It’s been fine though, people are generally pleased to see you and I’m enjoying it.”

With five children, three still at home, and three grandchildren flexibility of hours is important for Sharon and at Caremark Mansfield and Ashfield she is able to vary her hours from 20-40 every week depending on her other plans.

She sees her job very much as enabling people – both to do more for themselves and also to be able to stay in their own homes.

One success was with an elderly lady who have been housebound for many years who had told how she wished she could go out.

“She was anxious at first but with encouragement she was able to come with me to the shops,” said Sharon. “Now she absolutely loves the regular trips, the supermarket staff are great and greet her like a friend. It’s really raised her quality of life.”

Sharon is in home care support, visiting people, in their homes to help with a wide range of everyday tasks. She believes the social element is an important aspect.

“I like to sit down and have a good chat, get to know the person so you are at ease in each other’s company,” she said. “That way they will open up if something is upsetting them. We are there to help.”

Sharon, 50, would encourage others thinking of a career change to give home care support a try.

“Try not to doubt yourself, it’s amazing what you are capable of,” she said. “When you see someone smile because of what you have done for them, because you have made their life a little more comfortable, it’s a lovely feeling.”