How often do we hear the term "Just a Carer"? Or a dismissive tone when someone says that they are a Carer? Perhaps when speaking to others we should use the term "Care Professional"? The world behind the job of a Care Worker / Care Assistant / Support Worker, etc., is vast. The role is not simply looking after the basic fundamental needs of a person such as washing / bathing, and not everyone needs this support. It is also being the confident, the listening ear, the person to work towards the goals, dreams, and wishes of another person. The Carer can be the person that makes someone else want to get out of bed in the morning, support others to go on holiday, attend family events such as weddings or birthdays, help someone with their gardening, going for a walk, and so much more!
We often link the term carer to an "Unskilled Profession." If you have never been a carer, I challenge you to spend a week alongside another carer in any profession and then tell me that there is no skill required! Yes, it can be learned like most careers; however, it takes a particular type of person to be a carer and indeed a very good carer at that!
RAG'N'BONE MAN - Why I loved being a Carer
Did you know that the famous singer Rag'n'bone Man was a carer? link below to his interview with Jamie Lang.
I refuted the idea of being a carer
With many years of lived experience, getting involved in care was something that I did not want and went out of my way to actively avoid. It wasn't until a leader of a voluntary organisation that I worked with came to me and said, "Do you want a full-time job?" - I really needed the money, so apprehensively I said yes. I went for a visit to my new potential place of work and I left there after one day feeling the most excited I had felt in a very long time. It was great; I knew I would be making a difference and having a job that was so varied in what I would be doing day to day.
This single act of offering a job lead to me having a career within the care industry from directly supporting people to leading and managing services including recruitment manager and training manager roles. The Care industry is thwart with opportunities to grow, enhance your own skills and progress in your professional career.
Now, every time I lead a training course or speak about care, I speak with enthusiasm about the recognition of carers and how we should always see ourselves as professionals working in the care sector.
A Call for Recognition and Appreciation - Professional Care Workers
It's time to move beyond the phrase "Just a Carer" and recognise the professionalism and dedication exemplified by care workers. Their contribution to society is immeasurable, and it's essential that we show our appreciation for the unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of others.
Some care colleagues work 24-hour days for a week or more, some are trained to deliver enhanced medication administration, etc., all to protect and care for the needs of the most vulnerable people in society.
Through compassion, empathy, and professionalism, care workers make a lasting impact on the lives they touch, embodying the true essence of what it means to care. So, the next time you hear someone say, "Just a Carer," remember the dedication and passion that lay behind those words. Let's celebrate and appreciate our care workers today and every day!
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