Pandemic doesn't deter carers from joining West Norfolk company

Joining the caring profession during a pandemic when health services faced the most challenging time in a century has not deterred new carers at a West Norfolk home care company.

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Five new members of staff completed their initial training with Extra Hands at the height of the pandemic earlier this year before heading out into the community to play a vital role in looking after older and less able people in what has been an extraordinary year for the care sector.

In fact, the pandemic inspired one new-starter to change career and join Extra Hands, which has offices in Heacham. Tamara Proctor, of West Lynn, said the onset of Coronavirus and the problems it brought had made up her mind about becoming a carer.

“When I was growing up I was a carer for my mum and I’d also seen how carers helped her so when I could see what was happening with the virus, it seemed like the best time to get involved,” she said.

The 20-year-old described the job as ‘character building’ and she had previously worked in a shoe shop, dealing mainly with older customers which, she said, had given her a useful insight into some of the requirements of her new career with Extra Hands, which has been in business for 27 years.

Another new joiner has been 25-year-old Natalie Ely, of Hunstanton, who had been considering a move into the world of care work for a long time and says she is thriving at the award-winning company, which offers a range of options from well-being checks to full, multi-visit care plans.

“I happened to take the leap of faith at this time, but I’m so glad I did - it’s an incredibly rewarding job,” she said.

Natalie, a mother of two, works evenings and alternate weekends and said the work-life balance was one of the key reasons for joining Extra Hands, whose Heacham office has been rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

“I am so glad I made the move, it’s incredibly rewarding,” she added.

Khloe Evans, 21, of South Wootton, returned to Extra Hands earlier this year after a spell of working in a care home. This year has been particularly challenging but Khloe has no regrets about her move.

“Knowing that when you leave the house you have set someone up for their day and they are feeling good about it - that means you can leave with a smile on your face,” she said.

Having worked for many years as a mobile hairdresser, Amanda Hathaway, of Dersingham, had always been tempted by a career in the caring professions.

“It’s something I really wanted to do. I’ve been a hairdresser since I was 16 and a lot of my customers tended to be older, so I’ve ended-up doing extra things to help them anyway,” said the 53-year-old.

“I absolutely love being a carer. Making the users happy and leaving them safe with a smile on their face, is the best feeling,” she added.

Another career changer is Laura Hawksworth, of King’s Lynn, who felt she had more to offer than the admin roles she had been working in.

“The thought of doing a job where I could go into people’s homes and help them as they needed was something that really appealed as people have told me I have a caring nature,” she said.