Case studies: Carer: Bonnie

Bonnie studied for a BA in Health Studies and Social Care at the Avery Hill Campus of Greenwich University, working as a carer at the same time.

In July 2009, Bonnie went on to complete a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education for the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) and she now works as a carer in a residential home for the elderly. It is her ambition within the next ten years to open a nursing or residential home specialising in care for the elderly. She believes her teaching qualifications will help her to achieve a supervisory or management role in a home. A promotion into a senior-level position will provide a good launch-pad for setting up and managing her own successful care business.

At Greenwich, I studied health and health-related subjects such as management in health and social care, early years development and care of the elderly. During this time, I found work as a carer. This funded my undergraduate studies and also gave me valuable, hands-on experience working with the elderly community in South London. Following my graduation, I took a teacher training course at Greenwich. As part of this course, I was required to participate in a placement at an educational establishment catering to students between the ages of 16 and 40. At Bexley College of Further Education, I taught health studies, early years development and public services. I also took an assessor’s award, which means I’m qualified to review the quality of student’s work and also comment on how their work is graded by teachers. This training has given me the theoretical background to draw on in my day to day work with my elderly clients. It also gives me experience in co-teaching, which will be useful for my aspiration as a trainer and supervisor of carers.

My role as a carer is extremely relevant to my degree studies. When caring for the elderly it is useful to understand the rights, behaviour, and dietary and physical needs of my clients. Because of my training in care for the elderly, I often find other carers approach me for clarification on treatments, medication and caring procedures. This is one of the areas of my job that I enjoy the most. It’s essentially about making sure staff feel supported so clients benefit too. The most challenging part of the job, however, is coping with the fact that I can’t satisfy some residents no matter how much I try to be helpful. My employers and peers recognise my degree training (as well as my teaching qualification) as an asset to the company and I believe I’ll be promoted into a training role during the coming year.

A typical working day at the residential home involves liaising with the night staff for the handover to the day shift, handling the personal care issues of residents and preparing them for their meals and bedtime. I work with the activities coordinator to ensure activities for the elderly not only meet safety regulations but are enjoyable and stimulating and provide some form of mental or physical exercise.

My advice to other graduates is to try to get a placement in a health organisation, however long and whatever form that takes. Placements are really useful for building initial experience and contacts for your future career or even for building a business. Stay positive too and don’t be scared to volunteer for extra responsibilities because it all adds up and gives weight to your CV.

AGCAS

Sourced by Yvonne Davis-Palmer, AGCAS

Date: 

October 2009

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