Karen clocks up 30 years of care work
A member of staff at our Ystradgynlais office has shown that care work can be a job for life after celebrating 30 years of working in the industry (April, 2019).
Karen Howell began her career as a carer for Powys County Council’s domiciliary care services in 1989 and worked for 25 years there, before joining a private care provider in the area, purchased by us in 2016.
Fifty-seven-year-old Karen said: “Thirty years is a long time to work in care, but I really enjoy my job. I get on very well with all of my service users and colleagues and that is what makes my job so great. I find it extremely rewarding being able to change people’s lives and it is a job that I feel proud to do.
“Abacare is a great company to work for, which is why I have stayed so long and I certainly have no plans to retire anytime soon. I would highly recommend anyone interested in a career in care to give it a go as for me, it’s become a vocation in life, and I couldn’t imagine not being a carer.”
In her spare time Karen helps out at a rugby club in her area, making food for the players after they have played a match and at other social events at the club. She also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Joe Jenkins, Registered Manager at our Ystragynlais office, said: “We would like to congratulate Karen on her long service in the industry. She is a prime example to other people that a job in care can be for life. She is extremely dedicated, hardworking and most importantly of all, caring, and she is a true inspiration to others.
“As a team we recently sat down and came up with the hashtag #ChangeLives, to use on our social channels, that embodies what our carers do and highlights the fact that care isn’t just a job. During her 30 years of service in the industry Karen has changed many of our service user’s lives for the better.
“Our service users benefit hugely from having long serving staff members look after them as it means they can get to know a friendly face and form a friendship over the years. This makes them more comfortable having someone they know and recognise come into their home, rather than a different person each time.”
Neil Griffiths, Our Regional Manager, said: “We’re always looking for caring, honest and reliable individuals to join our team. No experience is necessary to become a carer as we offer free, full training, which includes a company induction, first aid, information on dementia, health and safety, food safety, infection control, handling medication and moving and handling service users, with the opportunity to achieve Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) after the initial six months probationary period.
“New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for all major brands as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is looking for a career or someone who just fancies a bit of a change. Being a carer is an extremely rewarding job and you get to meet lots of wonderful people too.
“We’re also offering FaceTime or Skype interviews to candidates in order to meet the demands of the modern jobseeker. Our view is that busy people wanting a career change can ‘meet’ us via FaceTime or similar applications and find out about the roles we have to offer, as well as meet a couple of team members and, if they are about, also say ‘hello’ to a carer too.”
Anyone interested in joining the team at Abacare should call 01639 844155.
