Nicky’s Story
“After many years working as a Retail Manager, I decided I would like a change of career. At that time I began to consider care as a career, I was motivated as a family member was poorly and it had been my intention to provide care for them. Over time I found a role advertised and it was almost as if I had written the job description myself, it was everything I was looking for and it was close to my home in Radstock. Now I enjoy supporting two young men with autism to live their lives to the full. I work with just one person at a time, helping them with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, meal-planning and shopping, and I accompany them to their activities such as cookery lessons, long walks in nature and general tasks such as helping them to prepare an evening meal, putting the washing, planning their shopping list etc.
It has been a steep learning curve because the world of “care” isn’t something I hadn’t tried before but in my first year I realised that I really enjoyed being out of the hubbub of the busy Christmas period of retail. Instead of being rushed off my feet in a busy store I was supporting the young men to make Christmas lunches for parties with their friends, and baking delicious things to present as gifts to friends and family, and seeing the joy on their faces as they attended festive concerts and pantomimes. It can take time to build a relationship with person who has autism, but I feel very satisfied now that I have forged a link with both the young people I work with, and I feel proud that they trust me to help them.”
Interested in pursuing a new career in care? Learn more here…
Sara’s Story
“In 1997 a young member of my family was diagnosed with autism. My cousin wanted to set up a home based support programme and asked me to help him. Within weeks of starting, I knew this was what I wanted to do as a career. I was so amazed to see the difference in my little cousin, in such a short time and I wanted to help other families, and other children.
I worked in many pre-school intervention programmes, and then accompanied the children into their mainstream schools, supporting them to be included with their peers. Later I worked with the local authority, going into mainstream schools and assisting the teachers to implement programmes for the SEN children, something that not all teachers had trained in originally. At the end of my contract I decided to change my focus to adults with autism. I initially worked for a care provider at a purpose built block of 8 flats near Bath where 1:1 care was provided for the eight residents 24/7.
In 2018 the parents of four of the residents branched out and set up a flagship new concept, Bright Green Light, and the young gentlemen moved into their own homes in Radstock. I now lead a team of personals assistants (PAs) who empower the young autistic adults to live as independently as possible. So here I am, some 25 years later, and I still love my job with as much passion as those first few months back in 1997.
A lot of people say to me, “I couldn’t do your job”, but they’re doing themselves an injustice as the requirements are simple: patience, compassion, a willingness to learn and understand. Most of all, a PA to an adult with autism requires a great sense of fun, as we spend most of our days at activities like bowling, cafes, art classes, forest schools, swimming and trampoline parks!
We give you all the support and training you need. Why not give it a shot? You may love it like me!“
Ready to consider a career in care? Learn more here…
