Start a career in social care

It’s a job they all love, helping to make a difference to the daily lives of others by looking after people and enabling them to stay in their own homes.

Now, as part of a new recruitment drive in the social care sector, home care workers in Bridgend County Borough have spoken about how they became involved in the care sector, what they enjoy and why others should consider joining the team.

In a new video put together by the local authority, Lewis explains how a combination of being made redundant from his job in retail and his experience in taking care of a family member prompted him to apply for a role helping others.

He said: “What I love doing in this role is putting a smile on people’s faces and making a difference to their daily lives.

“There’s amazing support from your work colleagues as well as management who help you go on to bigger and better things.

“If you’ve got any thought of working in social care, I would say go for it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done – you will never look back.”

Lewis also speaks of the training he has received from the role from first aid training to stoma catheter care and dementia training. He added: “There’s so much training you can have and it’s ongoing.”

Meanwhile former skilled labourer and handyman, Nigel started working as a care worker 18 months ago and says “it’s a pleasure to go to work”.                                                

He said: “What I find most rewarding is seeing the individual living independently in their own homes at the end of the day – I get that smile.

“My advice to anybody who’d like to go into home care is give it a go. You’ll definitely find it rewarding.”

And mum-of-three Karen who has worked in home care for the last 28 years says she “wouldn’t swap this role for anything”.

She said: “I love the care aspect of the role, I love looking after people. I love making sure that they’re okay and that they’re happy.

“To do the role, you’ve got to be honest and trustworthy, treating people the way you want to be treated yourself and being pleasant and polite.”

Launched at the end of August, a national recruitment drive is currently being run by Welsh Government and Social Care Wales, aimed at promoting the benefits of working in care and encouraging people to apply for roles within the sector. For jobs across Wales, visit the WeCare Wales website or find out more via @WeCareWales on Twitter or Facebook.

Within Bridgend County Borough, there are roles available in a variety of areas, from home care and reablement teams to young people’s services. For more details or to apply, just visit the Bridgend County Borough Council website or visit the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Carers are of vital importance to individuals, families and all our communities and I would like to thank them for the amazing work they do every single day.

Social care provides fantastic career opportunities for people with different experiences from their former careers and personal lives, and it is a job for life - there is full training and support and if you are a people person you will get great satisfaction as you will know you are helping people to live the lives that matter to them.

Councillor Nicole Burnett, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help