Finding her place in the professional world of care

Lisa’s journey in care isn’t something that she would have predicted for herself. She had an established career in advertising at a local news business, but she began her journey with St Martins Care when she joined as a Domestic at Willow Green in December, 2016. Lisa became familiar with the home and the residents there and she found enjoyment in the role, but when the home needed support during the pandemic, Lisa felt the need to step forward into a care facing role. She was aware that it was a huge shift from her previous roles, but quickly discovered that caring for others was something that came naturally to her.

Since she stepped into the role, she found a sense of purpose within her work that she hadn’t felt before. Lisa found enjoyment in being hands on and helping residents and other staff members through difficult times, as well as being a part of a team that could pull together when it mattered. 

Career Development 

Since starting her career in care in 2016,  Lisa settled into her role and found her place at St Martins Care. Her quality work was recognised by the managerial staff and she was asked if she would consider becoming a Senior Carer in 2022. Although Lisa had spent five years at St Martins Care, she had a lot of doubt and lacked confidence in herself regarding the promotion. Her manager took the time to reassure Lisa and make her see the potential in herself, which resulted in her accepting the promotion. She reflected on the decision and said, “It turns out to be one of the best decisions I have made.”. 

As her career has continued to develop from her promotion in 2022, Lisa now runs the Rainbow Dementia Unit, which she takes an immense amount of pride in. She also continues to support the team by working alongside them in the residential units as a Senior when needed.

Alongside her professional progression, Lisa is also completing her Level 4 Diploma in Adult Social Care, where she is continuing to exceed expectations and is extremely proud of her achievements. Lisa hasn’t just grown professionally, but her confidence in her own capabilities has grown with her too. Having senior staff who believed in her and encouraged her along the way has played a big part in her journey, showing how supportive our team can be when it comes to helping staff grow.

Lisa’s Advice

From starting as a Domestic in 2017 to progressing to a Senior role and now running the Rainbow Dementia Unit while completing her Level 4 Diploma, Lisa’s journey is a true example of how the right environment and the right people can help you find your purpose and grow in confidence.

Lisa’s advice to anyone considering a career in care is: “I would advise anyone to work in care, but you do have to be the right person. It is not for everyone. It can be challenging and stressful, but it is always rewarding. If you are caring, patient and willing to learn, you can make a real difference. That is what makes it worth it.” 

Supporting your career in care 

Lisa acknowledges how much the support has shaped her professional journey. She said, “SMC has supported me every step of the way. When I doubted myself, they did not. They encouraged me to move into care, reassured me when I felt under confident, and believed I could progress even when I was unsure. Without that support, I would not be running the Rainbow Unit or completing my Level 4. They have helped me become someone I am proud of.”

At St Martins Care, we believe in supporting every member of staff and encouraging them to grow and develop in their careers. We are proud that our senior team can mentor colleagues like Lisa, helping them build their confidence, take on new responsibilities and progress into senior roles. Every position at St Martins Care offers opportunities for growth and development, and Lisa’s journey is a great example of this, to find out more about some of the positions we have on offer, visit our careers page.