The best decision she has ever made

It takes bravery to give up a job you have worked in for over 30 years to do something completely different but looking back, Claire Armitage says it’s the best decision she has ever made.

Before joining Caremark Rotherham & Sheffield 18 months ago, Claire spent three decades working in a warehouse of a national retail chain.

From the age of 19 it was all she had ever known but when the chance to take voluntary redundancy came along, she didn’t hesitate.

I wanted to do something more worthwhile and rewarding

“There was various restructures going on at the time and I had the chance to stay and either step up and step down but I had got to the place in my life where I wanted to do something different and at a job which was more worthwhile and rewarding,” says Claire.

Claire is friends with our Case Leader Kirsty and after messaging her on Facebook, the rest is history.

“Kirsty said I would be perfect for the role of Support Worker and that she had done something similar to me by giving up a different job and had never looked back since.” says Claire.

“So, I went for the interview and just over a year later, I now only wish I had made the change sooner.”

Claire has made a significant impact

Claire has made a significant impact since she joined Caremark and is the recipient of our GEM award, which goes to staff who go over and above in their role. She was described in her nominations as an “incredible” Support Worker who makes a real difference to the lives of her clients.

“I joked to my husband Gareth that I worked at the warehouse for 32 years and never received any recognition and yet 18 months in this role and I have won an award, which I was very touched by,” adds Claire.

“I love all the children I work with; they are all amazing and there is one young girl I spent a lot of time with and despite what she is facing, she is such a happy kid.

I can’t believe how lucky I am to work here

“She likes to spend time in the park and sometimes I can’t believe I am actually getting paid for doing this, that’s how great this job is.

“I only worked part-time at the warehouse and looking back now, that was just a job to pay the bills. I do five, sometimes six, days a week here at Caremark but it’s completely not about the money.”

Gareth worked with Claire at the warehouse and he left the same time to pursue something different and is now also enjoying his new jobs as a truck driver.

“He was a manager at the warehouse and got good money, but we knew we had to put happiness before that and it has worked out for us both because we are both much happier in our new careers,” says Claire.

If you are thinking of a change of career why not visit the careers page of our website or contact us on 01709 789341 so we can tell you more about the rewarding work of our Support Workers.