Career progression

Working for Caremark offers the opportunity of career progression at a pace that suits.

For Hayley Peggs it wasn’t until she reached her forties that she had the time to follow that pathway but happily, as she found out, age is no bar.

Five years ago she joined Caremark Redcar and Cleveland in home care support gaining national vocational qualifications on the job. She was promoted to their rapid response team and then senior carer role and is now about to start her latest role as a Field Care Supervisor.

“I have always tried to be an example to my children. I urge them to push themselves and gain qualifications and have a rewarding job so it’s been a case of practising what I preach,” said Hayley.

At school Hayley’s ambition was to work with children and she went on to gain a diploma in childcare at college. She became a nursery nurse but came to realise she preferred one to one work rather than large groups. There followed a spell as a nanny for a family in Hounslow, which she enjoyed but felt homesick and so returned back North.

After a spell working in a care home Hayley took a career break in order to raise a family, including three children with autism.

“I took time out to be a stay-at-home mum and then as they got older it freed up some time, I still wanted to do care work and so applied to join home care support with Caremark,” said Hayley. “It’s gone really well and now I’m about to start a new role as a supervisor.”

Hayley, 48, has witnessed first-hand how little acts of kindness can make such a difference to the lives of clients – and that gratitude makes the job so rewarding.

“One client was quite young and had suffered a brain tumour, his partner was only in her thirties and really devoted. I started to arrive just a few minutes early to give her time to have a bath and relax whilst I helped the client,” she said. “She told me how she found it re-assuring to just lie there and listen to me talking to her partner, it gave her confidence that he was being cared for well when she wasn’t there.”

The care team have set up a group chat for any staff looking for tips and help and a supportive workplace is something the company strives for.  One piece of advice that Hayley received has always stuck with her.

“A senior carer told me I should never feel I was on my own and that was really good advice which I now pass on myself. It takes the pressure off to know there is someone there to turn to for help and that you’re not the only one who has asked for help and you won’t be criticised for doing so.”