New role is doubly rewarding for West Norfolk carer

A West Norfolk carer is thriving in her two different and rewarding roles with a Norfolk care provider.

Tamara Proctor joined family run Extra Hands three years ago when she was just 19, having previously worked in a shoe shop.

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Her family were unsurprised at her career change as she had previously looked after her mother, who has cerebral palsy, and had also studied Social Care at college.

“None of them were surprised,” said the 22-year-old, who lives in West Lynn and is attached to the Heacham office of Extra Hands. “They think I’m a natural carer and all said they saw it coming!”

Her exceptional qualities were recognised when she won a GEM Award in March 2022 for ‘Going the Extra Mile’ in her care work, and earlier year she took on extra responsibilities, joining the company’s Rapid Response Team.

“I’d always wanted to get into things further,” Miss Proctor explained. 

The rapid responders are involved in a range of activities from reviewing care plans to first visits for new service users.

“If there is any sickness or emergency, we could also be called upon to provide cover – which is where the ‘rapid response’ name comes in. No day is ever the same, and it really keeps you on your toes, and stops it being like Groundhog Day, as it can be in some other jobs.”

“I get to meet lots of different people and to have an input into their care programmes,” she continued.

 “It’s a great feeling to think that I can be a help to them, and I like getting more involved in how a plan is made up. It makes you appreciate everything that goes into it. Everyone plays a part, and everyone does it very well.”

As well as her new role, which she shares with two other team members at Heacham, Miss Proctor continues to work as a regular carer at Extra Hands.

“It’s the only care company I’ve ever worked for, and I couldn’t imagine ever working anywhere else,” she added.

“Just being able to help people with day-to-day support, to enable them to stay in their own homes, is very rewarding indeed.

“Extra Hands is an excellent company to work for, with the most thorough training – it’s definitely the most rewarding job I could ever imagine doing.

“I’d say to anyone thinking of trying care work, to give it a go. You’ve got to have it in you though. It’s in the name of the job – you’ve got to care.”

Extra Hands provides bespoke, home-care visit packages across Norfolk to suit all budgets, and has another branch in Broadland.

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