Meet our carers

Kirstie, aged 24, joined the live-in care team at Carefound Home Care in 2018. She already had over 5 years’ experience in the care industry but was looking for something different and was keen to improve her health and quality of life.

Kirstie says: “I am a 24 year old who has worked in care since I was 18. Before joining Carefound Home Care I was working 15 hour shifts 6 days a week to be able to get a full time wage and snacking on all the wrong things, but despite the tiredness and unhealthy lifestyle I still loved my job.”

“I therefore decided that I needed a change, but still in the care industry, so I chose to provide one-to-one live-in care. This is a job where you live in the home of an elderly person and look after just one person’s needs, from medication to appointments, personal care, companionship and their general life interests. This gives them the chance to stay in their home safely, allowing them to have full choice in there daily life.”

“I had never done live-in care before but with good support and training I was able to settle into my role easily and create a bond with my client who lives at home with dementia. She was previously in hospital and a care home but now with the the correct diagnosis and support she has been at home just under a year. I work closely with other healthcare professionals such as the eye clinic, a mental health team, a GP and the family – all striving to do what is in the best interests of my client.”

“In terms of my life, I work a 1-week on / off routine which means that I get 14 days a month to myself at home, and 14 days with my client to do my job to the best possible standard. The care I am providing has improved my client’s life hugely, with the little things like mobility, going for walks, getting that confidence back and being sociable again. It has also definitely improved mine as I have got into fitness on my breaks (14 hours a week), when I know my client is still safe in the care of our hourly care team. I go running, walking or just enjoy the fresh air. I also now eat a better diet due to my cooking healthy food for my client and making sure she has a balanced diet which is important for her. We eat at the same times each day together and we have both been keen to try new things.”

“Since becoming a live-in carer I have been able to improve my health and feel less tired and drained. I am therefore able to give 100% to making a difference to my client’s life which is hugely rewarding. I can definitely say that joining Carefound Home Care as a live-in carer was the right decision for me.”

Carla, aged 27, began her career with Carefound Home Care in 2012 after finishing college and having worked in retail and for North Yorkshire County Council. She is a great example of somebody joining our team early on in her career with an interest in developing her skills, qualifications and experience with us.

Carla began to consider a career in home care following experiences with her own grandparent, who she would regularly visit in the mornings and evenings. After applying for a role with our team and completing her induction, it quickly became clear that she not only possessed the ability and personality to provide truly personalised care to our clients but this was also a role she could enjoy and develop in.

Carla says: “I began my career with Carefound Home Care in February 2012 and have found the support, supervision and opportunity for career progression to be outstanding. I came into this role without any professional care experience – only experiences with my own family which had inspired me to work in the care sector and enable elderly people to remain at home – but have not looked back since.”

“After completing my induction training and being supported through my first 6 months with the team, I enrolled in my Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care which I completed in 2013. To my delight, I was also nominated for the Newcomer to Care Award at the Yorkshire & Humberside Care Awards which I won at a ceremony in York. This then took me onto the National Finals of the British Care Awards in London where I was awarded National Newcomer to Care. By 2014, I had progressed on to my Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care which I successfully completed that year.”

“I have now been promoted to the position of Senior Home Carer which has enabled me to take on additional responsibilities in the company including staff mentoring and supervision, quality assurance and client care assessments. Because of the close support and guidance from management, I am continuing to advance my knowledge and develop my career with Carefound Home Care.”

June is a member of our live-in care team in Yorkshire and joined Carefound Home Care in 2018. She qualified as a nurse in 1979 and went on to work in nursing and caring at various levels, including delivering live-in care to older people from 2013. June came to us seeking a more local live-in care company.

June says: “I have worked both as a qualified nurse and carer for 45 years in hospitals, care homes and in clients’ own homes. In my early career I served as a nurse in the RAF.”

“I joined a large national home care company in 2012 and loved working with clients who wanted to stay in their own homes and enabling them to do so. After researching a lot of other care companies I joined Carefound Home Care in 2018 as I wanted to work in a more personal setting and found exactly what I was looking for with them. My work and life experience has enabled me to care for my clients in a way which makes them feel safe, secure and above all happy and seeing this gives their relatives reassurance and peace of mind.”

“The big difference I have found is that with Carefound Home Care I and my client are not just names and all the support team know us and are up to date with our history. We both look forward to our regular support visits which are also a social event for us. As a lone worker a strong support network is vital and i know i have this 24/7.”

“With Carefound Home Care I am not just an employee or a voice on the phone – I am June, a valued member of the team!”