The positive impact home carers have on people’s lives has been brought into sharp focus as South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) launches a major recruitment drive to further expand its care at home service.

From today, the HSCP is inviting applications from those considering a career delivering compassionate care in the very heart of communities. It comes the first in a special series of feature articles, highlighting the lives of the everyday heroes behind the uniform, goes live.

“We know how important the work of all of our social care staff is right across our communities, especially to those who are vulnerable,” explained Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the Social Work Resources Committee.  

“We also recognise the significant challenges facing social care - and that our staff continue to be critical to meeting those challenges.

“These articles will shine a light on the valued contribution of just some of the people who make up our Care at Home workforce – and which we are encouraging more people to consider joining.

“They real highlight the positive impact our home carers have on people’s lives every day - and how fulfilling working in social care can be.”

The Care at Home workforce is made up of a diverse range of individuals with a plethora of life experience and previous careers. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds. The service provides essential support to enable people to live as independently as possible in their own homes, frequently working closely with other health and social care services.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “I know from regular correspondence from our service users that the impact our staff make is phenomenal, as is the good humour and professionalism within our teams. “Indeed, the colleagues featured in this short series personify the spirit of colleagues across our health and social care service, and the meaningful contribution that is made to people’s lives, day in, day out - and that we are looking to develop and grow”.

The series launches as we meet Annmarie Doherty, who was prompted to assess her life following the advent of a big birthday. Annemarie had worked in retail for 22 years but, when she turned 50, she realised a new direction was needed – and said becoming a home carer was ‘the best decision I ever made’. “I work in the Home First Service, dealing largely with hospital discharges,” explained Annemarie. “It is hugely rewarding to be able to help people in a situation that, in many cases, they never thought they’d have to deal with and were not prepared for.”

Scott McNeill, Service Manager for the Registered Care at Home Services, said: “The effort and commitment of our diverse workforce is nothing short of superhuman.

Addressing anyone interested in a career in Care at Home, Mr. McNeill added, “If you believe you have the compassion to make a difference to people, often at the most vulnerable periods in their lives, I’d strongly encourage you to apply and join our amazing workforce.”

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A sharp change of direction took Annmarie down a wonderful career path

In the first in a special series, we look at the people working in the very heart of our communities as part of our Care at Home service.

When a big birthday prompted Annmarie Doherty to assess her life, taking a new direction was “the best decision I ever made.”

Annemarie had worked in retail for 22 years but, when she turned 50, she realised a new direction was needed.

She said: “I knew deep down that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my career in retail – it was changing, and so was I. I had to make the break and I had to challenge myself and it was then that I saw a recruitment advert for a home carer with South Lanarkshire Council.

“As I read about the job, I couldn’t help thinking that it was the job for me – it just felt right.”

Moving into a completely different sector could have been a daunting prospect but Annmarie, from Rutherglen, was put at ease both by the information in the job advert and by what came after she had applied.

She explained: “It said I’d be put through full training for what I would need for the job, which gave me the confidence to apply, and once I was in the process I gained an SVQ and qualifications in moving and handling, palliative care and first aid.

“There are other advantages I’d never expected, too. For instance, I never considered pension benefits before I started but since joining I have been delighted with that aspect, and the discount on using South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture gyms has been brilliant for my husband and me.”

The best part of the job for Annmarie, however, is the people – both those she cares for and those she works alongside.

She said: “I work in the Reablement Team, dealing with hospital discharges, and it is hugely rewarding to be able to help people in a situation that in many cases they never thought they’d have to deal with and were not prepared for.

“Another major factor is that I work alongside a fantastic bunch of carers who helped me settle in so easily when I first started and even now I know I can call them with questions, for help, advice – you name it, nothing’s a bother to them. I can't thank or praise them enough, and I'm very lucky and grateful to them all every day in my job. It makes such a big difference when you all get on so well and are there for each other.

“I absolutely love my job. Look at it this way: I never in my life had a CV, I went for my first interview in 22 years, and I thought what am I doing? But four years on, I have never looked back, and I enjoy every day. It was the best decision I ever made.”