A meaningful difference every day
Four years ago, Vickie Seaton made the decision to leave food retail and pursue a career where she could make a meaningful difference every day. After feeling anxious and undervalued in her previous role, she contacted Caremark Redcar and Cleveland and has never looked back.
“I thought, what am I doing with my life? I’d considered care in the past and contacted Caremark the next day. I’m so glad I did,” said Vickie.
Vickie quickly found that home care support offered the flexibility she needed to balance work around her two children’s school hours. Following Caremark’s training and shadowing process, she settled into the role and discovered a genuine passion for supporting people in their own homes.
The key attribute is to be empathetic
One of the parts of the job Vickie particularly enjoys is “Safe Place”, an initiative that brings customers together in a central location for coffee, conversation, activities and entertainment.
“It’s amazing to see how much they enjoy getting out of the house for an afternoon and into a new environment,” said Vickie. “We’ve had all sorts of entertainment from therapy ducks to Elvis impersonators. Everyone has a great time.”
Vickie brings empathy, patience and strong listening skills to her work. She believes her personal experience of supporting her 18-year-old daughter, who is autistic, has helped her better understand the importance of routine, communication and reassurance for customers with learning difficulties.
“Our customers like a set routine, and any change needs to be agreed and managed carefully,” said Vickie. “The key attribute is to be empathetic, and to do that you need to be a good listener. Sometimes people don’t want an answer, they just want a chance to explain something.”
A strong sense of reward
Vickie’s dedication has been recognised through Caremark’s annual awards, where she received an award for outstanding contribution. She has since progressed to the role of Field Care Supervisor.
For Vickie, joining Caremark has brought purpose, flexibility and a strong sense of reward. “To anyone who wants to make a difference I’d say consider joining the care sector,” she said. “There is a great sense of reward in helping people to stay in their own homes and remain as active and mobile as possible. I’m so glad I made the switch.”
About Caremark Redcar and Cleveland
If you are seeking a rewarding, meaningful career where you will feel appreciated and valued, we are the company for you. You may even bump into a dog or two every now and then! Please view our home care jobs in Redcar and Cleveland or call us today on 01287 634706.