Why you should consider a career as a care worker in the Forest of Dean

As a care worker you can make a real difference to someone’s life, whether that is helping them to stay safe in their own home or in residential care, or by helping them with everyday activities.

Amelia Pace (Castleford Nursing Home) shares how working in care can be life changing for everyone involved, saying: “I feel like I really make an impact on people’s lives, and that makes me incredibly happy, knowing I have made someone’s day or helped them do something they have never done before.

“My job is to enrich people’s lives and that also enriches my life. The happiness you get from making others happy you cannot measure. It is an incredible feeling seeing your work having such an impact.”

Paula Grufferty (National Care Group) agrees: “This is not just a job to me; it is part of my life and something I love to do.

“I am proud to be a care worker because it gives people independence to be the same as all of us, to live the same lives we do. They get so much out of it, and they give more back than anybody.”

Suzette Davis (Brook Lodge) says the role of a care worker is unique. “For me, this role is special because it is rewarding in lots of different ways and it’s not the big things, it’s the small little things. Helping someone to achieve a ‘good’ day is massively important, for the people we support and ourselves.”

If you are good with people, caring and have a desire to help others, there are rewarding, flexible jobs available in your Forest of Dean community now.

Working in social care offers job security, job satisfaction and lots of opportunities to develop your career. It is a stepping stone to many other roles across the health and care sector.

Caron Rowe (Caremark FOD & Herefordshire) has worked in care for over 30 years: “I like helping people, I like improving people’s lives and helping people to do things they can’t do, it’s very rewarding.”

Steph White (National Care Group) says there are benefits from living and working in the Forest of Dean. “You have the community presence, everyone knows everybody. We are a close community, and it just gives you that warm feeling, which I don’t think you would get in a big city.”

Jess Gayford (Castleford Nursing Home) agrees that working in your local community is beneficial: “It’s keeping care in the local area, instead of having to go elsewhere, you’ve got local care and local jobs.”

Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, cabinet member for adult social care at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Working in social care is extremely rewarding and there is enormous potential to develop a career. You do not need to have previous experience, as all training is provided.

“If you are passionate about helping people and want to make a difference within your local community, Proud to Care can help you to find your perfect role in care.”