Here at Cavell Healthcare, we are hugely proud of the fact that two of our care team have been shortlisted for a Great British Carer awards this year. So ahead of the regional finals next month, we thought it would be lovely to hear from them about what it means to be a carer. So we are thrilled to hear from Sarah Cawdron in her own words…
My name is Sarah and I feel very honoured and privileged to be nominated for a Great British Care Award for Home Care Worker. I am very excited about being nominated and so thankful to Gordon, Rachel and the whole team for making me part of the Cavell family.
I was born in Poringland and I have always lived in Norfolk. I’ve been in Stalham for about 30 years and I feel that this is where I belong. I have an 18-year-old daughter and 4 cats that keep me busy!
I am a home care worker for Cavell Healthcare and have been with them for around 3 years. My duties Include personal care, medication, meals and nutrition, and I enjoy taking clients out for walks and encouraging them to participate in activities such as puzzles and colouring, as that definitely helps them to feel engaged. I feel I have built up great rapport with my clients and I look forward to seeing them on a daily basis – sometimes as many as four times a day!
I have been in the care profession for around 8 years and developed my passion for caring when my mum got diagnosed with lung cancer. After she sadly passed away, I felt that I belonged in caring and have been doing it ever since.
I have now almost finished my NVQ Level 3. The training that we have with Beverly, who is the Training Manager here at Cavell Healthcare, is excellent and ensures that we are all working to the same great standards.
Being part of Cavell Healthcare is like being part of an extended family. We all work really well together and the office staff are very hands-on, so we know they are always there at the end of the phone if needed. Our Managing Director, Gordon, is very approachable and we all know his door is always open. He truly values his staff and is so generous – giving us amazing hampers at Christmas and holidays away as rewards for hard work.
The favourite part of my role is meeting such lovely people and forming professional bonds. Hopefully my clients enjoy my visits, and I always try and go the extra mile for them, especially when it comes to turning bad days into good days. I have even been known to sing songs to put a smile on their faces!
The lockdown has made my job more challenging as my clients have felt very low and isolated and I am sometimes the only person that they see, so it is more important than ever that they feel valued and reassured that they are not alone.
For anyone thinking about a career in care I would 100% say to just do it as it will be the best decision you will make! Cavell Healthcare as a company is so supportive and has such a good training record, and you will definitely be made to feel a part of the family.
