Finding a work life balance
Finding a work life balance for mum of two, Michelle, and having a career that allows her enough time for her children is a must. With a 15-year-old daughter who has Autism and a 20-year-old son, life can be very hectic. This is why she used to work as a cleaner doing shift work.
With the challenge of caring for her autistic daughter, Michelle also went through a very difficult time in her life when she had a still born, losing her third child in 2012. Not only was she grieving this huge loss, but Michelle’s health also deteriorated as she was diagnosed with an underlying blood condition that weakens her immune system.
Giving back to the community
Through having multiple appointments and investigations through the NHS over the course of 15 months. Michelle knew that working in care was something she wanted to explore further. Michelle wanted to give something back to the community and use her experiences and skills she had gained from caring for her daughter, Jessica.
TrinityCarer, Michelle, says “Caring is my life. Jessica is my duty 24/7. You cannot ever plan ahead, and we live on a day-to-day basis. You also do not know what her future is. She is very intelligent and switched on, but society is not always understanding of autism and there may not be the support she needs. I wanted to make a difference not just for Jessica but to support the lives of others in similar situations.”
New skills and training
Joining Trinity in 2017, Michelle started working with us as a domiciliary/ visiting carer in Epsom until September 2020 then moved over to Worcester Park and Sutton. Putting her skills in caring for others to good use, Michelle started her position only having cared for her nan with terminal cancer. Despite having no professional experience in care, she successfully gained her Care certificate.
“I think training is very good. It is in house, and they are very friendly and open to asking questions. No question is a silly question – it is always worth asking. Marissa and Angela trained me, and they are very informative, demonstrate things. As a team, Trinity offer a lot of opportunities. I do not know many care providers that offer free training with Nescot College as well. It is great they are so invested in helping the carers progress and grow.”
Following that, Michelle successfully received an NCQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care at Nescot college with the support of Trinity Homecare. Specialising in dementia, end of life and medication, Michelle proved herself to be extremely ambitious and determined. From September 2021 Michelle hold her NVQ level 3 in health and social care.
The start of finding a work-life balance
Talking about her time working as a carer, Michelle says her biggest challenge was juggling timing. “I remember being told that the first 6 weeks are the hardest you will ever work and within 6 weeks you will be able to crack everything. It was daunting at first and the 2nd or 3rd day being in the role on my own was hard but eventually you get to know the clients and the locations. You get used to it.”
“I couldn’t think of a better place to work. As a care company they are amazing with staff. Someone is always here to support me or give me time. Even when in difficult situations with my personal life, they are first to offer help. You always feel you have someone you can talk to”
Coping skills that can be used in your personal life
Michelle was fortunate to make use of the free counselling service we offer at Trinity Homecare. Michelle feels that the job has allowed her to develop many coping skills that she can also use in her personal life. “The Care industry has taught me a lot about patience and given me coping mechanisms. You can similarities to my daughter’s conditions in the clients I worked with. This has been really helpful in understanding autism better and how I can care for her further”
Nearly four years working out in the field, and Michelle absolutely loved it. However, with the desire to progress and a more stable shift pattern to work around her daughter. Michelle decided to apply for an internal recruitment position working at our head office in Worcester Park.
“The shift pattern worked better, and I have flexibility now so I can be at home with family. Especially because Jessica is sitting her GCSEs, now so I can support her with studying in the evenings.”
“I can bring my skills as a carer into recruitment because I now know what we are looking for and what the job entails, pay rates and how the clients are. My care skills bring me into this job well. It has been a challenge. I have been in the recruitment role for a few weeks, and it has been a lot of information to soak in, but I can go home and shut off when my job is done.”
Trinity Homecare, care from within
Michelle explains “It is nice that they look for new employees internally before looking externally. The management spend time energy and money in investing in their own employers. “
Michelle’s work does not stop there. With a kind and caring nature, Michelle also ensures she participates in plenty of charity events. In her spare time, she has participated in marathons and other sporting activities to raise money for charities close to her heart.
“I threw myself in to running and did 3 half marathons as a way of coping with everything. I was raising money for Tommy’s which raises money for still born and premature baby research.”
A fantastic achievement, this year she is participating in a 13 mile walk in September to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. This is remarkably close to her heart as her uncle died when he was only 55 from a rare form of dementia called Pick’s disease. Pick’s disease is an Alzheimer’s/dementia-based condition that affects predominantly men and from the minute they are diagnosed they usually die within 5 years of the diagnosis.
At Trinity Homecare, we look forward to supporting Michelle when she participates in her charitable events. We are excited to see how she will continue to grow alongside the business! Trinity Homecare are happy we have been able to support Michelle in finding a work life balance. We know just how important it is to her.
