Real Life Stories

                                                                                                                 

Gaynor Nichols is a Care and Support Worker in Manchester 

Question 1: How did you become a medical professional? (We’re you inspired by a family member? Childhood dream? Etc)

I originally had dreams of being an Occupational Therapist, but after a tough and traumatic time at school, I didn’t want to go into further education. Instead, I ended up getting stuck in Call Centres for 20 years! A few years ago I was lucky enough to be in the position where I could leave work and take a couple of years off. When I decided to return to employment, I still didn’t really know what I wanted to do. While attending a Jobs Fair, I met my current employer. They provide personal care, companionship and home help to the elderly and I joined them to become a care worker.

Question 2: What element of your role do you most enjoy?

(This doesn’t necessarily have to be saving people, be as honest as you wish)

I enjoy looking after people and get great satisfaction out of knowing that by doing the work I do, elderly and vulnerable adults are able to continue to live happily, healthily, safely and independently in their own homes. Some of my clients have no family close by, so by providing them with support and companionship, their lives are more rewarding and purposeful. This in itself is extremely rewarding for me. I visit clients in their own homes so my working hours are reasonably flexible and I can fit work comfortably alongside my family and personal commitments.

Question 3: What element of your role do you least enjoy /or what element was a surprise to you?

If I’m honest, the worst part of my role is home help! I much prefer the personal care side of my role, but I accept that home help is one of the elements of care that the company which I work for provide. It is also a very important and valuable service to clients who have mobility issues.

The biggest surprise to me, (or should I say shock), has been experiencing, first hand, the devastating effects of Dementia on clients and their families. Having never previously worked in this industry and never having had any previous experience of the disease, it has been a steep learning curve but has also provided me with some very rewarding experiences.

Question 4: Knowing what you do now, if you could go back and start again would you still choose to work in the medical profession? (Please give a reason for your answer)

Yes! If you naturally have a caring, nurturing personality and are interested in the medical/caring profession, you would be doing yourself (and future clients/patients) a disservice by not pursuing a career that is built on those strengths. The job satisfaction you get by making such a massive difference to people’s lives is immeasurable. 

Question 5: If you could give your past self some words of wisdom, what would you say?

Go to college, get the relevant qualifications and have confidence in yourself that you CAN achieve your goals and achieve the career you desire.