Reflecting On 20 Years in the Care Sector
This month, our colleague Jacqueline Cashion received a long service award, having worked with us for the past 20 years.
Reflecting on her time in the sector and with the organisation, Jacqui wanted to share the following thoughts…
“I started my career in Care at the age of 45, after being a publican for most of my working life. It was a path that started with volunteering at a Local Gateway Club and it soon became evident that this was something that I enjoyed and more importantly what I was cut out to do.
I have done several roles during my time here, from a Home Assistant of 18hours, progressing to 30hrs then onto Principle Home Assistant and then acting up as Project Leader several times.”
At the age of 60 I decided that I would step down from Team Leader and become a Support Worker, as I thought I would be more beneficial to the team working alongside them. The role I enjoy is working with individuals, developing skills, enabling them to achieve goals and aspirations in a person-centred way.”
Looking towards the future…
Although Jacqui has spent 20 years in the Care sector, she is showing no signs of stopping yet. However, even with two decades of experience, the pandemic has been something she never imagined she would experience…
"This last year has hit us all hard. I have seen individuals that I had become very attached to move into residential care when it became impossible for them to stay in supported living – and more sadly, some have become ill and passed away.”
But even through these hardest of times, Jacqui (alongside our ever-resilient Care & Support teams) has kept going, recognising that her role is vital to the individuals she supports. In her words…
"We can’t be carers if we don’t care…"
Thank you Jacqui for sharing your thoughts with us.
