Careers In Care

Mark and Becky arrived at the Havant Jobs, Apprenticeships and Careers Fair in 2017 with two very different skill sets.

Mark had a background in hotels and catering. Recently made redundant when the hotel where he was working as the duty manager was sold, he was looking for something different. 

“In my years as duty manager in hospitality, I already had health and safety, first aid and defibrillator qualifications as well as experience dealing with emergencies and sensitive issues with guests. Working in care felt more like a welcome sidestep than a jump for me,” he explained. “I could put the skills I had acquired to good use and really make a difference in people’s lives.”

Mark had arranged to meet RAH’s Duncan and Nickki as well as four or five other care companies at the fair. “By the time I left the fair, I was already sold on RAH,” he recalls. “I could tell that I would be happy there and wanted to go with it. From the start, it has been the place for me. The team has always lived the values of compassion and understanding that I have and everyone is so dedicated to caring for people.”

 Becky approached the Havant Careers Fair from a very different viewpoint. After working in doggy day care for seven years, she was looking for something else, but not quite sure what. A friend encouraged her to go and, despite her trepidation, she made it to the event. Feeling nervous, Becky was immediately greeted by Duncan when she walked by the RAH stand. “He made me feel comfortable straight away and we sat down to have a chat,” she explained. “My family are older generation, so his talk about CareGiving took my interest. It spoke to me.”

Duncan arranged to meet both Mark and Becky for formal interviews the week after the fair. They were both accepted as candidates and signed up for their three day inductions with RAH where they learned the ropes, shadowed team members and were out doing remote work with clients within six months. 

Opportunities to grow

Fast forward eight years and both Mark and Becky continue to be valued members of the RAH team. Mark has shifted into a full time role as systems and finance manager, looking after IT, payroll, contracts and finances. “What started as me helping out a few days a week to support the Live-in Carers, has led me to working full time in the office,” he explained. “I am always talking to new clients and their relatives, helping them with finance support to start care. I still keep in contact with clients and chat over the phone. They know me as Mark from accounts.”

Becky’s role has changed, as well. “Four years in, Nickki and Duncan encouraged me to take on more responsibility and go for a senior CareGiver position. I was nervous at the start, but haven’t looked back,” she shared. “In addition to my general duties as a CareGiver, I spend four hours a week – and weekends on call – supervising CareGivers, doing audits, reviews, spot checks and checking in with carer groups.”

 They both still love the variety each day on the job brings and the support from RAH. “I’ve grown in confidence since I started working with Right at Home,” says Becky. “I used to sit in the corner during staff meetings and I now stand up and speak. I feel like we’re given the opportunity to talk, to raise points and communicate with the team. It’s a very nurturing environment with tons of support and lots of help.”

Mark echoes this sentiment, citing the support and training he’s had as his career with RAH has progressed, “No two days are the same. There are always opportunities to gain certifications and learn new skills.”

The importance of downtime

Even with the best on the job support in the world, it is still important to take time away from the rigours of working in care. Outside of work, books help Becky to unwind. In addition to all things Harry Potter, she loves a good romance novel – as well as listening to music. Her favourite genres? 60s, 80s, pop, emo and musicals.

Mark enjoys putting his hiking boots on to explore the outdoors. From the coast and countryside to garden and stately homes, he has been known to bring along his sketchpad, inks and watercolours to capture the great outdoors. A fellow Harry Potter fan (Goblet of Fire is his favourite), Mark also enjoys reading crime thrillers on his days off.

Mark and Becky agree that their favourite part of working with RAH has and always will be the clients, “Whether it’s knowing you’ve done something to help them, brighten their day or make them smile, it is all about the clients.”