This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Working for the future When caring is your business OUR campaign with Maidstone Council to help young people on the path to employment looks at


opportunities in the care sector. MOST of us don’t think about care or the people who work in this sector until ourselves or a loved one need it. And even then, do we really un- derstand what working in the care sector involves?


Most people seem to think it is


only about caring for the elderly. But it is not. There are many dif- ferent roles available. You could be working in a home, out in the community or from someone's house. You could be supporting a man in his 20s with a learning difficulty or a woman in


‘Seeing someone smile is amazing’


VICTORIA Walker runs Ability Professional Care Services, based at the Maidstone Studios in Vinters Park. We talk to her and her team – Sara, Skye, Julie and Kath.


 What made you want to work in the care sector? Victoria noticed an advert in a shop window and ended up working with a local couple – the gentleman had spinal muscular atrophy and his wife had multi- ple sclerosis. “I absolutely loved working with them,” said Vic- toria. “The feel- ing of helping,


Victoria Walker


and building up a friendship was- n't something that I had experi- enced in my previous profession”. For Sara it was the idea of mak- ing a difference that attracted her to the care sector. “Making people comfortable in their own homes and being trusted is important.” Seeing someone smile and happy and knowing she had been a factor in that is, for Skye, “the most amazing thing in the world”.  What does the job involve on a day-to-day basis? For Victoria, setting up her own company has meant she can de- liver a tailored service for each of her clients. This has been vital to her success.


As Julie explains, this service can be wide-ranging. “We help with whatever is required by each client; personal care, cooking,


cleaning or just having a cup of tea and a chat.”  What type of people do you work with?


The range of people that carers


at Ability Professional Services work with is extensive, Victoria explains, including looking after those with “dementia, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, end-of-life care and specialist support work- ers in acquired brain injuries”. Sara said: “There are so many different reasons as to why people need assistance.” Skye has been working with a boy with cerebral palsy who has been unable to communicate ver- bally for some time. She has found that a continuity of care has meant that the team “have become bril- liant at getting to know him, his needs and his requests, and learned to communicate his way”.  What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in the care sector? “Give it a go,” said Victoria. “It is such a rewarding profession. It has been a struggling industry with quite often bad media re- ports, but if you ask a lot of care providers, they also have the posi- tive stories.”


Ability Professional Care Serv- ices can be contacted on www.apcare.co.uk / 01622 684503


An introduction to social care


ARE you aged 19 or over and either unwaged or low waged? Response is running a free introduction to health and social care course from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Wednesday, January 28. Email jodie.kemp@vam-online.org.uk to find out more and book your place.


her 90s, helping her to stay in her own home. You may also think it’s just about dealing with personal hy- giene. Wrong again. You could be helping with any- thing from daily tasks such as shopping and laundry, managing


budgets, paying bills and writing letters, to planning and doing leisure activities with your client. Whether you are just starting out in the world of work, or dis- satisfied with your current job and looking for a change, a career in care could be for you.


Jenni


Matthews of Jenni Wren’s Childcare with assistant Harmony


Hubbard and the children they care for


‘Children’s progress is the best reward’


JENNI Matthews’ childminding business, Jenni Wren’s Childcare, based in Albany Street, Maidstone, has been graded outstanding by Of- sted. She now employs an appren- tice, Harmony Hubbard. Have you always wanted to work in childcare? I wanted to work with children. I knew that childminders existed but I wasn’t aware of the potential it could offer as a profession. What prompted you to start your own business?


I graduated from Kent University in 2010. I then felt disheartened by the difficulty in finding a job. An ex- perienced childminder offered me work experience and seeing her pro- fessionalism and expertise inspired me to build my own business. What’s the best part of your job? I enjoy all the benefits of self-em- ployment. I work from home, choose my hours and I’m my own boss. However, the best thing has to be seeing children flourish in my care. What was the most difficult part in becoming a childminder? As a 22-year-old with no children


I was concerned about how I would survive in a competitive industry. In fact, this became my unique selling point as parents recognised that I had chosen childminding as a pro- fession. What’s your advice for anyone


wanting to start a business? Commit to your idea. Be confident in the service that you’re offering and don’t sell yourself short.


We also spoke to Jenni’s assistant Har- mony – here are her thoughts. How did you find out about your apprenticeship? I met a lady from Parenta Training Group at a career fair who explained what I could achieve by working and studying at the same time. A week later I had an interview with Jenni Wren’s Childcare. Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?


I had recently completed my childcare, business studies and health and social care A-levels. After sixth form I wanted to continue my studies and gain practical work ex- perience. An apprenticeship would give me the chance to earn while I learn. What does your work involve? I prepare for the arrival of the chil- dren and complete health and safety checks. I help with meals and ac- company children to and from school, lead activities such as baking, gardening, crafts, and outings.


Find out more about Jenni Wren’s Childcare by visiting the website www.jenniwrenschildcare.co.uk


In next month’s edition: Spotlight on engineering and construction. Find out about the range of jobs you can do in these sectors.


18 Maidstone East January 2015


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48