Career switch proved a perfect fit for Nina

Nina Tye  joined award-winning home care company Extra Hands in November 2012. She previously worked at a variety of jobs including a dry cleaner, before finding her way to the company’s Broadland office.

​“After the dry cleaner’s, I was with a care company for about five years,” said Miss Tye. “After I left there, I went to work in a care home, but I didn’t like it.

“I applied to Extra Hands online and got a phone call the next day. It happened to be my day off, so I came straight in, was offered the job, and have been here ever since!”

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Her first position at the family-run company was as a carer, before she moved to the Rapid Response team, and then into her current role of care co-ordinator.

“I left Rapid Response as I hurt my back when I slipped a disc,” she continued. “I occasionally still go out now if we’re short staffed – and I really love it when I do – but I’m mainly office-based.

“In my current role as a care co-ordinator, I allocate work to our carers and deal with our service users. We also read all the care logs that the carers write every day, so we keep up to date on whatever’s happening and can action whatever needs doing quickly.

“I love working here, I really do. Everyone’s really friendly and gets on, which makes such a difference. I just love doing my job.”

Unsurprisingly, the 62-year-old, who lives in Wroxham, has no retirement plans.

“I don’t think I’ll ever retire,” she said. “My children are always saying, ‘Are you working again, Mum?!’ They say I’m always working.

“I do like a challenge, and it is a challenging role, as every day’s different. I would say to anyone considering care work to go for it, because it’s so rewarding and you make such a difference to people’s lives.”

“It’s also nice working with people where everyone gets on with,” she added. “If you have a problem, you can talk to anyone else, and someone will always help you. It’s one big happy family!”

Extra Hands, founded in 1993 offers a variety of home care visit packages across Norfolk and has another office in Heacham.