The determination to care – Melissa’s home care story

We would like to introduce you to Melissa, care assistant for Radfield Home Care Derby, Ashbourne and South Derbyshire.

Tell us about your previous care work/career background.

“My passion to care for others started at an early age and having always had a caring nature I was delighted when I was given a college placement at a nursery in Littleover, Derby. I gained a level 2 in Child Care and Health and Social Care and it was clear to me that this was the career for me!”

“Having also been a full time home care assistant for a family member, my Grandad, I truly recognise the importance of providing excellent care at home. My Grandad was such a proud, capable man and it was so important to me that I helped him in a way that didn’t take away his independence.”

“I started to apply for care assistant jobs when my children went to school but I just wasn’t given a chance as they all wanted prior experience. Thankfully I came across Radfield who immediately saw my potential – they gave me the opportunity to carry out the job I had always wanted to do and provided me with all the necessary training. I’m really excited about my new role.”

 

What has inspired you to want to be involved in the adult social care sector?

“It was my grandad that motivated me, he really did push me towards it. He would always say that it’s nice to offer care and support to others “but make sure that you don’t take that independence away from them”. I knew that it made him happy and I made sure he was ok and comfortable right to the end. I loved providing live-in care for him and it inspired me to want to provide personal care for others in the same situation, to see that same smile and appreciation for what care professionals do.”

 

Why Radfield Home Care Agency?

“We have a great director and co-owner Sam Adie and care manager, Bryan Allen! We hit it off from the first moment we met and they were very welcoming, nothing in comparison with other local Derby care companies I’d spoken to. They represent the values I believe in, high quality care and allowing clients to carry on living their life as independently as possible.”

“The things we discussed in the interview, like flexible working, have all happened – it really is more like being part of a family than actually being at work. They always praise you and have been very helpful with my working hours. I can balance my work demands as a care worker and still have that precious time to spend with my two children.”

 

How did you get to hear about the job opportunity?

“I heard about the care assistant job during a care course I was attending that had been arranged by the Job Centre. Bryan and Sam from Radfield came in to talk about the role of a carer and to offer their valuable experiences in the care industry. They also talked about what Radfield offers its staff and the high standards that it expects from its carers.”

“They listened to me and were willing to interview me, even though I hadn’t got previous experience. They explained that they would offer full training and required qualifications, and would develop me throughout my career. It really was a welcoming experience.”

 

What are your career aspirations?

“I’m really motivated to have a long career in care and, with Radfield, they will help me get to that next level. I have expressed my interest in doing NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care with my manager and he has been very supportive of this.”

“I would love to be a brilliant carer and be respected the way Radfield is. Hopefully, I eventually would like to reach a care manager level, working my way up in the different roles to get experience.”

 

What do you love most about your job and working for Radfield Home Care?

“I love the job because it gives me great pleasure knowing I’m helping people in need and to see their smile at the end of the shift. Radfield gives me the opportunity to change people’s lives for the better and I’m very grateful for that. Providing excellence in care means a high quality of life for my clients, making that smile even more worthwhile.”

 

What do you love most about your job and working for Radfield?

“I absolutely love working for the special people I look after, and I wouldn’t have been able to meet them without working for Radfield. It always feels like a privilege.”