Aug 2020
'Admiration for the carers who looked after mum inspired me to move into care.'
Helena shares her thoughts on working in care for Professional Carer Worker's Week (1 - 4 Sept)
Helena Huckle, who had worked for many years as a PA for a headmaster, joined OSJCT in 2012 as a night carer. She is now Head of Care at Boultham Park House in Lincoln. She credits her move into social care to her admiration she felt for carers who came to care for her mum at home in the months before she died.
Helena said: “Seeing my mum’s carers at their jobs looking after her made me think, I really want to do that. I took the opportunity when I moved to Lincoln to be closer to family members, to become a carer. And its now a job I love.”
Within two years of joining the OSJCT, Helena became an acting senior care leader and is now Head of Care. She supervises seven night carers, which involves a monthly unannounced visit to check that care staff are following procedures.
“All the carers I supervise are very good. They are confident and work well in teams. Care training at the OSJCT is excellent and everyone can progress.
“I look for carers who show good empathy with residents, who listen and who talk to them when working with them. Ongoing communication is so important to offer reassurance. I think our team is brilliant.”