Award-winning career change for carer

A former hairdresser has won an award for her exceptional work as a carer.

Amanda Hathaway, who works at Norfolk home care provider Extra Hands, won the company’s GEM Award for ‘going the extra mile’ in caring and supporting service users.

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The 55-year-old, who is attached to the company’s Heacham office, received two separate nominations for the accolade.

One nomination, from a service user’s relative, described her as ‘extremely competent, thorough, and efficient’ and said ‘her overall manner is excellent’.

The other called her ‘bubbly and funny’ and a ‘breath of fresh air’, as well as referring to her as a ‘Godsend’ and a ‘rock’.

It continued: “She knows how to give you confidence to get through the most difficult of circumstances. She is a very devoted and caring carer.  A thoughtful, considerate, caring, dedicated carer that will go above and beyond for those she cares for – there cannot be more appropriate attributes to possess in the caring industry.”

Miss Hathaway has been with Extra Hands for almost three years, having previously worked as a mobile hairdresser before the pandemic prompted her to change career in July 2020.

She was ‘shocked’ to discover she had won the award, which acknowledges the contribution of care workers to the health and well-being of service users.

“I was shocked and just couldn’t take it in to start with,” she said. 

“Everyone at Extra Hands is good at their work, and we all care, so I was shocked to discover I had won. I was glad to get my little trophy though!”

The honour was cause for a double celebration, as Miss Hathaway has also just completed an NVQ Level 3 course for her new career.

“It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life,” she said of the achievement, “and the longest 12 months of my life.

“But my partner and family encouraged me and were really supportive. They’re all proud of me for doing it – and for winning the award.
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“Care work is hard work, and it’s stressful work, but it’s also very rewarding work, and I really enjoy it.”

Extra Hands provides home care visit packages across Norfolk to suit all budgets, and also has an office in Broadland.