Congratulations to Proud to Care Ambassador and Champion, John on the birth of his baby daughter.  John featured in our latest Proud to Care Devon campaign.  His story reached 87,500 people on Facebook and 12,000 people on Instagram.  In just 10 weeks, the campaign attracted 5,500 hits to home care/domiciliary care jobs advertised on the Proud to Care Devon jobs board.

We’re always grateful to our Proud to Care Ambassadors who are happy to share their story to inspire others to start a career in care and health.  If you would like to volunteer, don’t be shy:  please contact proudtocare@devon.gov.uk or phone 01392 383000 and ask for Nicola Dunn.

Our next campaign is aimed at attracting 17-25 year olds to an exciting career in health and care, including apprenticeships.  Watch this space for future information!

Sally-Ann Turner

Proud to Care Devon

I was aged 13 when I became a young carer, at the time I wasn’t aware I was fulfilling such a role, for me caring for a parent and loved one just happened – it was what was needed to be done in order to support our family. My caring role continued throughout my teens and became harder when I was studying at college and working full time in the evenings and at weekends.

Whilst studying for my A Levels I was always unsure about what I wanted for a career, I hadn’t quite found anything that gave me a buzz, a purpose, or sense of achievement. I hadn’t found my passion… yet.

Looking through the local newspaper one evening, I found an advert for Home Care Assistants.  I contacted the number provided and spoke to a lady who booked me in for an interview that week. I remember getting lost on my way. All flustered, I was greeted and interviewed and was asked a number of questions around ‘personal care’ – I hadn’t used or heard this language before, but the feeling I got from speaking with the owner was enough to make me curious and excited about the role. I came away with that feeling in my stomach, that I could make a real difference to multiple people on a daily basis.

Little did I know – these people would be making a difference to me. It became really clear that my love was for people, and that caring for others was all I wanted to do.

From working as a Home Care Assistant, I then went to work for a small charity based organisation, where I became a Care Co-Ordinator, overseeing the day to day rosters and coordination for 35 care workers and over 70 people being supported in the community. Another amazing team of people. In this organisation, I had two really supportive managers, they encouraged me to complete my qualifications in Leadership and Management within Health and Social Care, ranging from Level 2 – 5. This meant that I had access to a career pathway. That I could one day fulfil my wish to become a Registered Manager myself, should the opportunity arise. It was then in October 2016 I decided to set up my own domiciliary care service.

I became the Co - Founder & Registered Manager of Love To Care Devon. I had a clear vision of what I wanted Love To Care to be, the culture I wanted it to have, and the care I wanted people to receive and I am so proud and fortunate to say we have achieved and exceeded my expectations. Together we are a family.

I am always very open and honest when I speak to others about home care, it definitely has it’s challenges, no two days are ever the same, but the joy and reward you get from supporting people everyday to stay in their own environments, is truly something to smile and be proud about.

I was 25 years old, when I decided to set up Love To Care, now 27 and in our second year of establishing our service , I am delighted to say that we have been rated Outstanding by CQC in our first Inspection, we have won a Skills for Care Accolade, I have presented at the Kings Fund in London, and I am a board member for the Care Managers Network.

Our next Ambassador event in taking place 30th January in the Killerton Room at Larkbeare House in Exeter.

We are running an induction event in the morning from 10 am to 12.30 pm for new Ambassadors only. At 12.30 pm we will provide a buffet lunch and welcome existing Ambassadors to join us from 12.30 pm to 3 pm where we will hold an interactive afternoon led by Ambassadors. There will be sample activities to take out to events, Ambassadors stories and more.  View the agenda here.

If you or any of your team would like to attend either part or all of this event please email proudtocare@devon.gov.uk