A cut above

When it comes to care, Millie Bottomley has always been a cut above – quite literally.

That’s because before she chose a career in care, Millie worked as an Apprentice Hairdresser, a skill which still proves handy now in her current role as our Care Coordinator

She explains: “When I visit customers, some ask if I will wash, dry, blow-dry and style their hair, which I am always happy to do.

“It might not be part of my job specification but if it helps people feel better about themselves, then that’s good enough for me.”

With her mum and sister both Nurses, Millie says she was probably always destined to follow them into care.

She joined Caremark Wakefield as a Care Assistant in February 2022 and was promoted to Care Coordinator in just over a year.

In this role, she is responsible for drawing up staff rotas, liaising with social workers and others involved in our customers’ care, meeting new customers, and drawing up their care plans.

She also continues to provide care herself when she is needed, something she still enjoys doing.

Millie adds: “I still remember my first-ever care call when I was by myself, and I walked into a customer’s home to find her lying on the floor.

“That was a real shock to the system, but it’s something that can happen and you just have to rely on your training and not let it phase you.

“I have always enjoyed helping people so it’s the perfect job for me and I would recommend others to consider a career in care, especially with Caremark.

“You will find that it’s the little things you do which make a big difference to people we support, and there’s not much better than that.”

Millie is currently undertaking her Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care and at the age of 21 she remains very ambitious.

“The first thing I said to Tom, our Care Manager, when I joined is that I want to progress and I think I am at the right company to continue doing this,” she adds.

Outside of work, Millie enjoys spending time with her partner and her family and taking her friends’ children out on trips.

In other words, once a carer, always a carer!