One of the most beautiful parts of being a self-employed carer is the freedom to create those moments that wouldn’t be possible in a typical, rigid care job. Let me tell you about one such moment that still makes me smile. I had been looking after a 92-year-old man who lived alone. He was the sweetest gentleman, but he struggled with loneliness. He would always tell me how much he missed being able to nip out, being around other people, having children running around the house, he missed the joyful chaos they bring. His eyes would light up whenever we talked about his own childhood or the times he’d spent with his grandkids, now all grown up and busy with their own children. One December afternoon, I had an idea that I knew would mean the world to him. My little boy was playing Joseph in his school’s nativity play, so I was telling him how excited he was to play a big role. The gentleman told me how he so missed being involved with all that, it had always made his Christmas when he watched the children doing their plays. So I thought, "Why not take him along?" It was something I could do because, as a self-employed carer, I wasn’t bound by the constraints of a tight, timed schedule. So, I asked if he’d like to come along, and his face just lit up. We went together, and I watched him enjoy that nativity play more than anyone else in the audience, even me! He clapped the loudest, his eyes twinkling at the sight of all those little ones on stage. It wasn’t just about the performance. It was about being part of something that made him feel connected, alive, and joyful again. He talked about it for weeks afterwards, and I knew that small act had a profound impact on him. That’s the beauty of being a self-employed carer. You’re not just ticking off tasks on a schedule; you’re making someone’s day, someone’s life, better in ways big and small. You get to build relationships and moments that genuinely matter. You get to go beyond the basics and bring a little extra joy into someone’s world. And the best part? I got to do that because I had the flexibility to make decisions that truly put the client’s happiness first. There was no rush, no "time’s up, on to the next client" mentality. It was just me, my lovely client, and a beautiful experience shared together. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a self-employed carer, this is it. It's freedom. It’s heart. It’s creating moments that you’ll never forget—and neither will they.

Are you feeling stuck in your current job? Craving something more fulfilling, where you can truly make a difference? Well, here’s a thought: what if the key to a happier, more rewarding career is as simple as having a kind heart and a dash of common sense? Spoiler alert—it is! Let’s talk about switching careers and stepping into the incredible world of self-employed care. Why Make the Shift? We’ve all been there: Monday morning hits, and you find yourself thinking, “Is this really it?” Maybe you're working in an office, retail, a school or some other job that just doesn’t light that fire inside you anymore. But here’s the thing—if you’re someone who naturally cares for others, has empathy, and can think on your feet, you’re already halfway to becoming an incredible carer. Add in if you have ever brought up children, cared for a relative and ran a household, and you are even closer to being a great carer than you think! Self-employed care is not about years of medical training or jumping through endless hoops. It’s about offering support, kindness, and understanding to those who need it most—whether that’s the elderly, those with disabilities, or anyone needing help to live life with dignity. And the best part? You’re in control. You decide when you work, who you work with, and how you deliver care. What Does It Take? Kind Heart + Common Sense = Success in Self-Employed Care. It’s really that simple. Don’t get me wrong—there are some skills you’ll need to pick up along the way, but the foundation is your compassion and practicality. If you can listen to someone's needs, offer support, and use your initiative to solve problems, you’ve got the essential ingredients. Everything else—like managing a care plan or understanding a client’s preferences—comes with experience. How to Start Here’s where people often panic. “I don’t know how to run a business!” they say. But guess what? You don’t need an MBA to be self-employed. You just need a plan, a bit of patience, and the willingness to learn. Here’s how you can make the leap: Take the First Step – Start by talking to a self-employed carer or volunteering. Get a feel for what the day-to-day looks like and ask yourself, “Could I do this?” Chances are, you’ll find it’s far more natural than you think. Build Your Network – You’re not doing this alone. Connect with other carers, join support networks (like ahem the Professional Carers Network!), and ask for advice. Building relationships in the care community can help you land clients and avoid common pitfalls. Don’t Overthink It – Starting small is perfectly fine! You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow and dive in headfirst. Offer care part-time, build your confidence, and grow at your own pace. Do Some Training - At the Professional Carers Network, included in your membership is all the care training you will ever need. So undertake some training, at a time that suits you, and start to build up your care knowledge. Let Kindness Guide You – It sounds cheesy, but the truth is, being a self-employed carer isn’t about following a script. It’s about being adaptable, listening to the person in front of you, and using your common sense to make life a little easier for them. Why Being Self-Employed Rocks Here’s the thing: being your own boss in the care world is pretty amazing. You get to decide how you work. Want to take Fridays off? You can. Want to build deep, meaningful connections with the people you care for? You’ve got the time. In a system that sometimes feels rushed and impersonal, you can be the exception—providing tailored, compassionate care without the pressure of strict schedules or company policies. Final Thoughts If you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to switch careers and start fresh as a self-employed carer, the answer is YES. All it takes is a kind heart, some common sense, and a bit of courage to make that leap. So why not take control of your career, make a real difference in people’s lives, and find the fulfillment you’ve been craving? Want to make the switch? We’ve got your back! Join the Professional Carers Network and surround yourself with the support, advice, and resources you need to thrive. Your new career is waiting—let’s get started today!

As carers, we step into people's lives during some of their most vulnerable moments. We provide support, companionship, and care when they need it most. But one part of this journey, which often catches us off guard, is attending the funeral of someone we’ve cared for. It’s a moment that’s both humbling and deeply moving—and when we’re mentioned in the service, it truly hits home just how profound the work we do can be. The Quiet Honour of Being There Funerals can be hard for everyone, but as a carer, there’s an added layer. You’ve likely spent hours, days, maybe even years by the side of the person who has passed. You’ve shared laughs, seen them through their worst days, and been there for the little everyday moments that families might not always witness. So, when the family asks you to attend their loved one’s funeral, it’s an honour, a silent nod to the role you played in that person’s life. Being there at the funeral isn’t just about saying goodbye. It’s about recognising the depth of the bond you built with them. Your presence is often a source of comfort for the family too—they know how much you cared and how hard you worked to ensure their loved one was well looked after. In those moments, you realise that care goes far beyond the tasks; it’s about the emotional connections that linger long after. When You’re Mentioned: The Weight of Your Work It happens often these days, but still fills me with so much pride when it happens...when your name gets mentioned at a funeral. It’s not just a passing acknowledgment—it’s a reflection of the life-changing impact you had on that person and their family. It’s a reminder that you weren’t just a carer who followed a schedule; you became a part of their story. There’s something incredibly special about knowing that your compassion, your presence, and your dedication were recognised in such a meaningful way. I remember attending a funeral for a lady I had cared for over two years. We had shared so many moments together—some light, others more difficult. I knew her stories, her favorite meals, and the way she liked her cup of tea. When her daughter stood up at the service and thanked me by name, acknowledging the comfort I had brought to her mother in her final months, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn’t just a job—it was a relationship that had touched both of our lives. The Profound Role We Play Being a carer means we see people through some of their most difficult and personal moments. We help them with their basic needs, but we also listen to their stories, laugh with them, and often become a trusted companion. And while this role may not always be glamorous, when we’re recognised at a funeral, it serves as a reminder of just how deeply we affect the lives of those we care for. In that moment, all the long shifts, the emotional ups and downs, and the endless energy we pour into our work feel validated. It shows us that what we do matters—that we’ve made a lasting difference in someone's life. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day tasks of caring, but moments like these remind us that care is truly about heart and human connection. Saying Goodbye: A Shared Journey Attending a funeral as a carer is about more than closure; it’s a moment to reflect on the shared journey you took with that person. You helped make their final days a little brighter, a little easier, and when you’re mentioned, it’s a reminder that you were an important part of their life. So, if you’ve ever been asked to attend a funeral, or found yourself sitting quietly in the back pew, know that your presence is deeply valued. The mention of your name, or even a simple nod in your direction, is a testament to the profound impact you’ve made. You weren’t just a carer—you were a companion, a friend, and a part of their story. Final Thoughts: The Lasting Legacy of Care As carers, we don’t always get formal recognition, but when we do—especially in such a personal and heartfelt way—it’s a powerful reminder that our work is more than just a profession. It’s a calling that leaves an imprint on the lives we touch. So, the next time you attend a funeral, hold your head high. You were there when it mattered most, and in your own way, you’ve left a lasting legacy of care, love, and support. Always remember you are so much more than 'just a carer'.

I have had experience with most forms of dementia in one way or another, whether thats when working or through home life. Dementia came into my life when our first Grandparent got diagnosed with Alzhiemers now over 20 years ago. A lot has changed since then and it's been great to see the work, research and practice around dementia improve over the years. But just lately, I've started working with a lady who has Lewy Body dementia, not a form I had come across before, it's been a learning curve for sure. My client, let’s call her Margaret , is an incredible woman. She has moments where she’s her usual, sharp-witted self—cracking jokes, sharing stories from her past, and having deep conversations. But those moments don't stay around for long. It’s like she’s right there, and then she’s not. Lewy body dementia is a cruel condition in that way; it tricks you into thinking everything is normal, only to snatch it away again. Her husband, let’s call him John , is a kind and loving man. You can see the toll this takes on him. One day, as we were chatting over a cup of tea, he told me something that truly hit me. He said, "You know, every time she’s herself again, I get this surge of hope. I think, ‘Maybe she’s getting better.’ But then… reality hits. And I know that’s not going to happen." His words broke my heart because, despite knowing the reality of her condition, he still clings to that hope. And I understand why. When Margaret is lucid, it’s like a glimpse of the person she was before dementia began to steal her away. But those glimpses are like sunshine peeking through the clouds—brief, and quickly gone. Sometimes it may just be minutes, sometimes shes back for a full afternoon. I could see how much it hurt him to be reminded again and again that this isn’t something she will recover from. In this line of work, you can’t help but feel for the families. Their love and devotion is easy to see, but so is their pain. And as a carer, you want to do everything in your power to ease that burden, even if it’s just by being there to listen. It’s not just about providing physical care; it’s about being there for those moments of grief, for those hard conversations, and offering a shoulder to lean on when hope feels both near and impossibly far. Caring for someone with Lewy Body dementia, or any condition that challenges both mind and body, is no easy task. It’s emotionally complex, often heartbreaking, but it’s also incredibly meaningful. As carers, we are not just helping with daily tasks; we are offering comfort, understanding, and a sense of stability in an ever-changing world for both the person we care for and their families. If you're already a carer or thinking about becoming one, remember this: you have the power to make a difference, to be that calm in the storm. Embrace the journey with empathy and resilience. Be the incredible carer who sees the person behind the condition. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Let's step up, together, and be the carers our clients deserve. Are you ready to be an incredible carer?

One of the things I love most about being a self-employed carer is the genuine connections I get to form with my clients. But here’s the thing — that wouldn’t be possible if I was just another face in a revolving door of carers. Too often in traditional care settings, clients are left wondering, “Who’s going to show up today?” It’s unsettling for them, and it’s a missed opportunity to build those important relationships that make caregiving truly special. That’s why my care business has a simple but powerful rule: it’s always just me or my work buddy providing care. No strangers, no impersonal interactions, just two dedicated carers who know the clients inside and out. This approach gives us the ability to offer highly personalised care while creating a stable, trusting environment for the people we look after. One story that always comes to mind when I talk about the importance of consistency involves a lovely lady named Mrs. Cook. When we first started working together, she had just come out of a care arrangement where she had different carers showing up every other day. She would have to explain her routine over and over again — the way she liked her tea, where she kept her knitting, how her husband used to sing a particular song every evening before bed. It left her feeling emotionally drained and more like a task to be completed than a person cared for. But when I started working with her regularly, things changed. She didn’t have to repeat herself or wonder if I’d remember what time she liked her breakfast. The little things, like her preference for Earl Grey with a dash of milk or her habit of reading a chapter of her favorite book after lunch, became natural parts of our routine. We built trust, and over time, that consistency made a huge difference to her well-being. The beauty of providing care this way is that it feels less like running through a checklist and more like creating a rhythm that works for the person in front of me. With the continuity of care that my work buddy and I provide, we’re not just attending to immediate needs — we’re creating a space where our clients feel seen, heard, and understood. And isn’t that what care should be? So, if you’re thinking about what makes self-employed care so unique, remember this: it’s not just about doing a job. It’s about building relationships that enhance lives. And the consistency of knowing it’s always us — me or my buddy — is what allows us to do just that. Join the movement of carers who know that true care is more than just tasks — it’s about connection.

One of the most rewarding things about being a self-employed carer is the ability to create spontaneous moments of joy that might never happen otherwise. One such moment happened with a lovely 94-year-old gentleman I was looking after. He had a wicked sense of humour, but like many of my clients, his days had grown predictable and a little quiet. One morning, as I was helping him tidy up the kitchen, he noticed some stale bread sitting on the counter. "We’d better throw that out," he said with a shrug, but I had a different idea. "How about we take it to the park and feed the ducks instead?" I suggested. He chuckled and said, "I’ve never fed the ducks before!" And that’s when it hit me—here was a man who had lived nearly a century, seen and done so much, but had never had the simple pleasure of tossing crumbs to the ducks. I knew we had to change that. Because I’m self-employed, I had the flexibility to make it happen right then and there. No rigid schedule, no rushing off to the next appointment—I could give this moment the time it deserved. So off we went, bread in hand, down to the local park. When we got to the pond, the ducks waddled over like they had been expecting us all day. As soon as he tossed the first bit of bread into the water, his eyes lit up. He grinned like a kid, laughing at how quickly the ducks gobbled up the pieces. “Look at them go!” he said, tossing more with a real sense of delight. It was such a simple thing, yet it felt profound. Here was this man, 94 years young, experiencing something new for the very first time. He kept saying, “I can’t believe I’ve never done this before!” And it reminded me that no matter how old we get, there’s always room for a first. That’s what being a self-employed carer is all about—being able to create those spontaneous, joy-filled moments. It’s not just about meeting basic needs; it’s about enriching lives, one small adventure at a time. I didn’t have to rush him back home to stick to a schedule. We stayed at that pond as long as he wanted, laughing at the ducks and soaking in the fresh air. Being a carer isn’t just a job; it’s about creating experiences and memories that matter. And when you’re self-employed, you have the freedom to make these moments possible, without the ticking clock of a company telling you when to move on. So, if you’ve ever thought about becoming a self-employed carer, just remember—you’re never too old (or too young!) to start something new, whether it’s feeding ducks at 94 or launching a career that brings real joy into people’s lives.

If you’re thinking about becoming a self-employed carer but still holding on to your full-time employed role, you’re not alone. Making that leap can feel like a huge step, especially when you’ve been in the same routine, with the same hours, and that sense of “security” a traditional job promises. But here’s the thing—making the shift to self-employed care isn’t about diving in headfirst without a plan. It's about making a thoughtful transition, and trust me, it’s possible to do it without breaking a sweat. (But for full disclousre this isn't how I did it, i just lept and gave myself a month to get it going! And guess what. ..it worked!!) Here are some strategies to help you make that shift smoothly and confidently, rather than just jumping off from the deep end! 1. Start by Dipping Your Toes in the Water One of the biggest myths about becoming self-employed is that you have to quit your job immediately and start from scratch. Not true! Start small—build up a side client base while keeping your current job. You don’t need to go all-in straight away. This gives you the time and space to figure out if self-employment is really for you without the financial panic of losing your main income stream. How to do it: Pick up a client or two on your days off or weekends. This will help you get a feel for self-employed life and build your reputation while still having the safety net of your full-time job. 2. Establish Your Unique Services If you're going to stand out as a self-employed carer, you need to know what sets you apart. When you’re working for a company, you're one of many, but as a self-employed carer, you are the business! Define your niche. Is it elderly care? Disability support? Maybe you’re a pro at dementia care or specialise in palliative care. Having a clear service offering will make it easier for you to market yourself and attract clients. How to do it: Take some time to map out your strengths. What type of care are you most passionate about? What kind of clients would you love to work with? Once you've got that figured out, tailor your marketing efforts to reflect your specialty. 3. Get Your Finances in Order Money is often the scariest part of self-employment. When you’re employed, you know that paycheck is coming every month, but when you're self-employed, it can be more unpredictable at first. The trick here is to plan for the ebb and flow of income. How to do it: Get a grip on your finanaces,how much money do you actually need to live on? Can you scale back an unnecessaries for the time being? Start saving a financial cushion that can cover a few months of living expenses, so you don’t feel pressured to accept every client or worry about having lean months. You can also gradually scale your hours with clients while reducing your full-time work hours. It’s like having a soft landing before you fully switch over. 4. Network and Build Your Reputation Early When you’re employed, clients are handed to you. When you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for finding them. This might sound daunting, but here’s the thing: your network is your goldmine. It’s not about selling; it’s about letting people know that you’re available, reliable, and offering a service they genuinely need. How to do it: Reach out to local care groups, friends, family, and any clients you’ve worked with in the past. Let them know you're branching out and available for work. Word of mouth is huge in care! Being part of a Professional Carers Network (hint, hint!) also gives you a platform to connect with others who can refer you. 5. Work with a Buddy Here’s a tip you might not have considered—team up with a "work buddy." Having a fellow self-employed carer to work with can offer flexibility and give you both the ability to cover 7 days a week for clients. This makes it easier to provide continuous care while still giving each other time off. It also opens up more opportunities for clients who need round-the-clock care, and helps when you're just starting out and need the extra support. Plus, it’s a great way to share tips, divide up responsibilities, and support each other along the way. How to do it:  Think of all the people you have previously worked with or know who you like and trust, and ideally live close by to you too! Ask them! Point them in the direction of the Professional Carers Network so they can begin to understand the model of care you want to do. It works really well when you can buddy up with a friend, that is how I did it! 5. Make the Mental Shift This might be the hardest part—changing your mindset. We’re often told that being employed is safer, but once you realise that being your own boss gives you freedom and control over your career, the idea of working for someone else can start to feel limiting. The mental leap to self-employment is understanding that you now create your own safety net through the decisions you make. How to do it: Take some time to visualise what your life could look like as a self-employed carer. Flexibility, control, and building real relationships with clients—on your terms. Imagine how much more fulfilling it can be when you call the shots. 6. Know When to Leap Finally, there will come a point when you know it's time to let go of your full-time job. The moment when you’ve built a stable client base, your confidence is high, and you’re financially ready. It’s all about timing—and trust yourself when the time feels right. How to do it: Set a date or a goal that signals when you’re ready. Maybe it’s when you’ve reached a certain amount of savings or when your client list is as full as it can be with you working a full time job too! Once you hit that goal, make the leap with confidence. You’ll never regret taking control of your career. Ready to Take the Leap? Making the shift from full-time employed to self-employed doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it’s about making smart, strategic decisions and setting yourself up for success before you even hand in that notice. And when you’re ready, the freedom and fulfillment you’ll find on the other side will be worth every step. Need more support? Join the Professional Carers Network! We’re here to help you every step of the way on your self-employment journey—from setting up your business to building lasting relationships with clients. Let’s make your career as a self-employed carer not just a job, but a thriving, fulfilling business. You've got this!

When you think of "safe" work, many people automatically picture traditional employment—set hours, a steady paycheck, and the comfort of knowing where your next shift is coming from. But if you’ve worked in care for any length of time, you know the reality doesn’t always match the promise. Whether it’s a shortfall in hours, last-minute schedule changes, or a paycheque that doesn’t reflect your hard work, being employed isn’t as secure as it seems. In fact, I’d argue that being self-employed can offer more safety, control, and reliability —especially for carers. Let me tell you a story that sticks with me. I was recently speaking to Claire, she worked for a care agency that had promised her 40 hours a week. Yet week after week, she was lucky to scrape together 30. Sometimes, clients cancelled, and shifts vanished like magic. Other times, she'd be asked to fill gaps in random places that left her running from one side of town to the other. It wasn’t just tiring; it was unsettling. She never knew if her next week’s pay would be enough to cover her bills. The real kicker? She was stuck in this so-called "secure" job, where the company was supposed to guarantee her hours, but every week it felt like the rug was yanked out from under her. The promised of stability felt more like constant uncertainty and worry. So why do we cling to the myth that being employed is safer? When you’re self-employed , you set the rules. You decide how many hours you work, how much you charge, and most importantly, who you work with. Instead of relying on an agency or employer to provide you with hours, you’re the one in control. That’s real security . You're in Control of Your Time and Money One of the biggest myths is that self-employment means instability. In reality, you control your own income . If you want more hours, you find more clients. If you need to step back for personal reasons, you can, without worrying about losing your job. Unlike Claire, who was always at the mercy of her agency’s shifting needs, when you're self-employed, you're in charge of your schedule . You don’t have to chase every shift that pops up or feel pressured to take jobs that don't work for you. I’ve worked with carers who used to be tied to agency rotas, constantly anxious about last-minute changes. But as soon as they took the leap into self-employment, their stress levels dropped. Why? Because they set their own schedules and worked directly with their clients. The Story of Mrs. Harris: Building Relationships on Your Own Terms One of the joys of being self-employed is the freedom to build meaningful relationships with the people you care for. Let me tell you about Mrs. Harris, one of my clients. She was a lovely woman in her 90s who had the sharpest sense of humor despite her mobility challenges. Mrs. Harris was previuosly used to using a care agency for her care needs. When I first started working with her, I noticed how much she dreaded the revolving door of agency carers. They would rush in, spend 15 minutes, and rush out—onto the next client. She often felt like a number on their schedule rather than a person. But because I was self-employed, I wasn’t limited by an agency’s strict time slots. I could spend an extra 10 minutes chatting with her or make sure her tea was just the way she liked it. That’s the beauty of being self-employed. You get to care on your own terms , not by someone else’s stopwatch. You can focus on providing quality care that feels good, rather than cramming as many clients into a day as possible. And let me tell you—clients notice the difference . So not only is being self employed better for you, but it's better for the client too! You're Safer in the Driver’s Seat At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as total job security , employed or not. But when you're self-employed, you hold the steering wheel . You aren’t relying on a company’s ever-changing roster or waiting for shifts that may never come. Instead, you’re in control—of your hours, your pay, and the care you provide. And in a world that can feel a bit chaotic at times, there’s something incredibly safe about that. So, if you’ve been wondering whether self-employment is too risky, I’m here to tell you that the real risk is staying where you feel stuck . You deserve more than the scraps of hours and unpredictable pay. You deserve the freedom to build a career that works for you and your clients. Take the Leap—The Safety Net is Yours to Build Stepping into self-employment is about creating your own safety net . Yes, it takes courage, but trust me—it’s a leap worth taking. You get to decide what “safe” looks like for you, and that kind of control is priceless. Let’s change the narrative. Being self-employed in care isn’t risky—it’s empowering. You’re creating your own stability, one client, one relationship, and one flexible hour at a time. And that’s the real definition of safety. Ready to take control of your career? Join the Professional Carers Network today and let us help you navigate the world of self-employment. From business advice to community support, we’re here to help you thrive every step of the way. Together, we can build a care career that works for you—and the people you care for. Remember: You can deliver care beyond boundaries and be well rewarded for the fabulous job that you do. Choose empowerment. Choose safety. Choose self-employment.

Let me tell you about my most favourite day I have ever experience working in the care industry...(Make sure you have some tissues ready!) In a previous role, before my life as a self employed carer, I used to be a team leader and I managed teams of carers who looked after people with learning disabilities who were living in the community. As with any job in care, there was ups and downs, this same role saw me have my worst days in care too. But this post, is about my best day. Actually it wasn't MY best day. It was a gentlemen we supported, it was his BEST day. This gentlemen was 79 years old. He had the title/honour/badge of being the longest person to be in our care service. I'm not exactly sure when he arrived at the care company, record keeping wasn't too fabulous back then, but he had lived in the care company's care for over 70 years. Whilst I'm not too sure if this was a thing to celebrate, this gentlemen had had a lovely life. He went on holidays abroad, he enjoyed delicious home cooked food, he had some excellent friends, he had multiple hobbies, he loved football, he had worked in the gardens, he took great pride in his pond at home and loved listening to music. In his later years he enjoyed going to a retirement club, singing karaoke and having a chat with his friends. He even celebrated Christmas with Father Christmas still visiting every year, with the staff dutifully putting out presents every Christmas Eve and no-one ever broke the magic for him. Because whilst he was in his 70s, mentally he was still a child. At Christmas this gentlemen would be invited to spend Christmas at a member of staffs house, so he got to enjoy a family Christmas. Because as lovely as his life really was, the one thing he didn't have was 'his own people'. He had no family. This gentlemen grew up during the time when care was delivered in big institutions. Lots of people with learning disabilities all living onsite, locked away from the general public. When I worked there, the institution setting is now the offices and everyone lived in the community as per progress. When he came to visit the offices, he would tell me about the pub on site, the swimming pool that was once there, the fun they had, it was a happy place for him. Luckily for him, he went to a nice institution. From the institution days this phrase was used 'your people are coming today'. Which was simply, your family is visiting. This gentleman never had any people. He would watch all his friends get to see their people. Hugs and kisses. Smiles and laughter. Love. He would watch this throughout his years. The setting changed, to his home in the community, but he would still watch his housemates with their people. Sometimes his friends would go out with their people, and even go on holiday, or stay a away for a few nights. It didn't concern him too much as there was always someone to chat to at home. With the exception of Christmas. All his friends went to their families at Christmas which would leave this gentlemen at home, alone with staff. Hence why he was invited to join Christmas celebrations at a staff members house. At least he got to be involved in a family, even if he wasn't part of one. Then one day, a letter arrived. It was short and to the point 'We have been searching for you for many years, I believe you are my uncle'. Bar adding where they were from, that was pretty much all the letter said. I remember getting a phone call from a staff member about the letter she had just read to the gentlemen. I dropped what I was doing straight away and went to see said letter. Whilst this gentlemen had genuinely had a nice life, he was really well thought of and was a super kind hearted soul. There was one thing missing in his life. One thing that nobody could ever deliver for him. His own people. I took the letter and did some digging. I wanted to check it was legit before we open this potential amazing thing, but also a potential can of worms! I went back to the offices and asked were the old files were archived. I headed into a cellar under what used to be the pub, with a torch, clearly this isn't a place visited often. I managed to locate his old file. I found a rough timeline of events. As I said before, record keeping wasn't a priority back then. But I did find a birth certificate stating his place of birth. The place of birth matched where the letter had come from. By no means enough evidence to pass a court trial, for us it was enough to take the risk and get back in touch with the letter sender. So I rang. I remember literally shaking. This was a big moment. Were they family that were after something? Did they know their uncle had a learning disability so they wanted to prey on his vulnerability? Did they even know he had a learning disability? Were they expecting to speak to him on the phone and have an in-depth heart to heart conversation? But instead they got me, a staff member speaking on his behalf as this was beyond his ability. They picked up. It was a man. I introduced myself and told him about the situation. He was elated that the letter had reached his uncle. He told me a story.... One day a little boy was playing outside his house. He was being a little naughty and his neighbour shouted over 'be careful doing that, your mum will send you away too if you don't stop it'. An off the cuff comment from the neighbour. But one the little boy didn't fully understand, but it stuck with him. Then on another day, the same little boy was routing around his mums room trying to find his birthday presents. Whilst he was routing in the bottom of his mums wardrobe, he found a card 'To mum, love from S'. Well this little boy didn't have any brothers that went by that name. When asked, his mum would simply not engage in this conversation. So the mystery simply lingered for many years. With the little boy always wondering 'do I have another brother?' The years passed. There had been a few attempts over the years to find this possible long lost brother. But with only a first and last name and place of birth to go from, the search was hard. With everyone's attempts left fruitless. Then one day, they came across a company that said they can track down people, Find My Monkey if memory serves me right. And that company achieved the impossible and had tracked down his long lost brother. So we arranged for them to come and visit the very next weekend. It was a long journey for them, a 5 hour car drive, but it didn't matter to them, they couldn't wait to meet him! I remember getting a phone call to say the family have turned up early. They were all so excited they had set off sooner than expected. I remember racing down the motorway, driving over the speed limit to get there to meet them. I was so excited to meet them too! I remember seeing the joy on the gentleman's face at meeting his people. This level of emotion I had never seen from him before, holding back tears of joy, pure instant love etched into face. There were a lot of tears from everyone. Happy tears though. We had supported this gentlemen for many years, he had had a good life, everyone thought the world of him, but there was one BIG thing missing. A BIG void that isn't replaceable. His OWN people. And now he had got it. He had waited 79 years for this moment. His family visited regularly after that. He went from having no family to being part of a massive family, with several brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews! He celebrated his 80th birthday with a big party with lots of music, the room was already going to be full as the gentleman had A LOT of friends, but this time, it was even fuller as he now had A LOT of family celebrating with him too! It was his best birthday he had ever had. The gentleman had a catch phrase he said often 'I'm the best man here'. He truly was the best man there. He died the next year. He died peacefully in his sleep. He was content and had literally lived his best year. Age had caught him. This gentleman was a remarkable man. A genuinely beautiful soul. To have supported him was an honour, to have been involved in his best year was a true privilege. His story will always remain with me. My little boy is named after him. My little boys name is Stan.

Wait the woman who keeps on harping about how great being a carer is? Left the care industry?? Surely not?? Yes you read that right. The care industry broke me. I left. The end. Well not quite the end... I was talking to a friend recently and she reminded me of the time she saw me break. Now I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I will tell you that I am a very strong independent woman and there is not much that gets to me. I'm not really that emotional, I'm pretty much level headed and cheery all the time. I'm a matter of fact type of person. I'm a glass is half full type of person. If something goes wrong, I see it as a chance to learn and improve. There truly isn't much that bothers me. And if it does, it takes me a very short while to rewrite it in my brain and often just recognise it as a first word problem or really just not that important in the grand scheme of things. But my friend happened to be there to witness the very point when it all became too much. To cut a long story short, she saw her strong, happy, care free friend, suddenly crumble because, simply, her personal phone rang. Yes I had a panic attack. My first and only panic attack. Everything suddenly seemed very close, the air was hard to breath and my chest was tight. What we were doing suddenly didn't matter, I could only focus on one thing...work. I remember it vividly. I was at her farm with my two little boys, they were 1 and 3 years old at the time. I was annual leave from my care job as a team leader, so a middle management type role. This annual leave I had been really really ready for as work had been hard lately. Very full on, so the break coming up had been counted down to for weeks. We were by my car, I can't quite remember why, and my personal phone rang. I saw my managers name come on the screen and panic started to come. I answered it, there had been a problem at one of my houses, I needed to get there ASAP. Ok so they know I'm on annual leave, as my work phone is off, there's an automated reply on my emails and he's had to reach me on my personal phone, so it must be big. 'Sh*t I'm going to get fired'. Have you ever had one those jobs where EVERYTIME you get called to see the manager, there's always a part of you that thinks you are going to lose your job? And not because you are bad at your job, I was actually really good at it, but simply because that has become the culture of the place. And remember I'm not a naturally negative thinker. It was just that the company I was working for now had previous form for pouncing on people when their guard was down. I had seen many a good colleague lose their job for literally no good reason. Over the years the place had changed. New higher management had been brought in, and it went from being people centred to money centred. Staff that had worked there for over 30 years had been fired for ridiculous reasons, if they wanted you gone, they would find a way. There was no thought for the people we supported and the lifetime relationships they had built with their staff. They simply wanted rid of old blood, but they didn't really ever get new blood in either. They just increased everyones work load. Anyway back to me at the farm. So I need to go to work. But I've got my boys, as I've not organised childcare as I'm on annual leave. And I'm meant to be having a nice day with my friend. But nope, that's all gone to sh*t now as I'm worrying about work. Again. So I bailed on my friend, in truth I can't even remember what I did with the boys, and I went to work. The Major Issue...Poo! So I arrived at said house of the urgent issue, which was this... Stuart (name changed for confidential reasons!) the internal audit man had arrived to do a spot check (remember the pouncing on people when their guard was down, clearly trying to find issues whilst I wasn't there!) and he had. There was poo in the wash machine, going round and round. I hear you say, 'I don't get it, what are you wittering on about Maria?'. I didn't either. So I simply asked, and here is what happened. There was a young lad supporting the tenants. He was lovely, but young, new and still learning how to win at life shall we say. Now I'm not being sexist, and I'm sure this doesn't apply to all 20 year old lads, but he was still learning how to do domestic chores. He simply didn't know that poo wouldn't disintegrate in the wash machine (in truth, I'm not 100% certain I could have told you that fact at that time either!). A tenant had had an accident, he had supported them to shower and get clean, helped put on new clothes and had simply bundled all the dirty clothes and put them in the washer. He had actually done a really good job. Obviously he had realised his error at not disposing of the poo in the toilet beforehand, as he could see it whirling around. But as you and I know, once that wash machine is on, it's on until the end. There's no second chance with a wash machine. You have to just wait it out. And it was at this moment Stuart arrived. Because this poo in the wash machine was such a hygiene issue and cross contamination as other people use the wash machine, it had been escalated to the most urgent of levels. He had immediately called my manager, who thought it fit to bring me in from my annual leave to deal with the poo issue and the said member of staff. I came in. However clearly we saw the situation very differently. I simply saw it like it was, a jobsworth has come in, who seemingly has totally forgot what the job to support someone is like, and made a massive issue out of nothing, Yes it wasn't fab, but the wash machine cycle would end, the poo would be disposed of, the washer cleaned and clothes put back on on a boil wash. Problem solved. But nope, it wasn't good enough, the staff member must be reprimanded for such a mistake. I must start disciplinary procedures. (Have I mentioned I was actually meant to be off on a well needed annual leave break?!) I refused. And not because I was meant to be on annual leave, but because he hadn't done anything wrong. He had actually done really well and made one small error. He was young and still learning. And my job was to support the staff to support the tenants. My management technique was to work with people and not above them. So I said I would happily start such procedures after they show me the part in their induction training that tells staff how to use a wash machine and that poo doesn't disintegrate in the washer, so must be flushed down the loo first. Shockingly the training package didn't cover such detail. The staff member was never disciplined. Ironically I can tell you in detail about that event, but I genuinely couldn't tell you who the staff member was. I just remember them being a young lad. But what I can tell you, right at that moment there was when I started to make plans to leave the care industry. Did I Over React? Definitely Not! I hear you say, 'wow leaving your job just over one little incident, slightly over reacting there aren't your Maria?'. Well do you remember I said I was on annual leave, after counting it down for weeks and needing a well deserved rest? Lets look at that statement a little more... Workload! The workload was massive. And when I say massive I mean you had a to do list all the time. It never got finished. For those who work in the care industry, you will be familiar with that dreaded word 'compliance'! You needed to ensure all your paperwork was always compliant, never out of date, or actually never nearly out of date. That's easy I hear you say. Well actually not as easy as it sounds. When your work load goes from managing 3 houses to 6 or 7 houses, with 1-4 people in each house (because they kept firing staff but never taking any new ones on). When the paperwork keeps changing because they have 'improved' it. You finally get it all up to date for it to then change yet again and you need to start all over again. And don't forget the job wasn't just paperwork, it was training and recruiting staff, supervising staff, creating rotas, working with the actual people we supported, taking them to hospital appointments as there wasn't enough money in their budget to fund a member of staff, covering shifts as we were always short staffed and being on call to name a few duties. But let's talk about being on call a little more. Oh the joys! As part of my role we had to provide out of hours on call support for the entire service. When I say out of hours, it was really just the entire time for a week, 24/7, as any problem arising was going to be your problem, so it was beneficial to be on everyones case for the entire week to ensure less problems arose. When I first started, it was one week out of every twelve. By the time I left, it was one week every 5 weeks plus an additional weekend. It also used to just be for the section of the business we covered, so maybe around 60 houses. They then changed it to cover the entire service, so around 200 houses. Needless to say, on call was unmanageable. That unmangable I actually reported it as a safeguarding to the local authority as it just wasn't possible for two people to oversee that many houses. The phone was that busy, it was often engaged, so people needing help couldn't get through. My plea for help was ignored. There was a moment around 9pm at night and I remember being stood in my kitchen, trying to be quiet as to not wake the children or ruin my husbands evening too much, and I was trying to find my phone. I was routing around the counter moving papers with rotas and staff numbers on, and I just couldn't find it. I then realised it was actually in my hand, held up to my ear. I had been on the phone that much, that holding the phone to my ear with one hand and doing things with the other, had become a default position. I was not on a phone call at the time. Or the time when the staff member on the phone asked me why my children were crying in the background, my simply answer was because I was on the phone to them. I had been on the phone trying to find staff, solve problems, coordinate many an issue, for so long, that my children were being neglected. At the time my husband worked weekends as he was a chef and my parents disagreed with me being on call as it impacted on family life too much, so I couldn't ask them to help. Whilst I totally agreed with my parents, it was part of the job, so I was left trying to juggle my little boys and all the problems 200 plus houses bring. Or the time the phone would ring at 10:30pm and you knew it was because the waking night staff hadn't turned up. So you were then ringing staff members to try and cover that shift. Yes that's right, work was ringing care staff at 10:30pm even as late as 11pm to see if they could come to work. Imagine that, being on a minimum wage job and work interfering in your life at that time of night. This happened frequently. But obviously the chances of finding someone willing to do a waking night at that time was slim. But actually one of the main reasons it was slim, and the reason many a people were 'too sick' to come in, was that a waking night staff member was paid the same as a day time staff member. This issue got even worse when the ones that were paid to sleep in the houses, then also started to get paid hourly to sleep rather than a set £30 to sleep. So you were asking someone to do nights, mess up their days, shorten their life span (as working nights has been proven to shorten your life expectancy) for the same money as someone that was literally sleeping at work. However the powers that be had decided that everyone should be paid the same rate of pay no matter when they worked, because in their eyes 'people who worked nights did so because that suited them'. No, they did so because it used to be more money, plain and simple. So ultimately I always knew, when that phone rang at 10:30pm, that was me off out to do a night shift, with a bit of luck I would be able to get a little bit of shut eye on their couch at some point. Because not only do I have to work and still be on call the next day, I also have the children to sort and my own life to live. But that's enough about on call, it was awful and something I will never do again. Issue's Starting To Stack Up So back in the day, my speciality was getting teams to work together. If you could get your staff happy and working as a team, it meant for a happier house and an easier job. So I spent a lot of time recruiting and training staff so that my teams were full. I would volunteer to mentor bank staff so that I always had first pick of staff to cover any additional shifts. I even taught on the induction training so that staff would know who I was and would be more likely to do me a favour! I planned my rotas months in advance so that my houses were always fully covered. I played the long game, knowing the work I put in up front would pay off further down the line. I planned holidays for my tenants. I kept the parents of the tenants fully informed and happy. I dealt with issues rather than brush them under the carpet. I worked hard. Really dam hard. One issue that stays in my mind was when I started managing one particular team. It was a well established team but had loads of issues. It all pretty much came down to one member of staff not pulling his weight, so the team felt. In their exact words, 'when we work with him, it's like we are supporting 5 people instead of 4'. This issue had been going on for ages and their previous manager hadn't tackled it. And actually when I sat down with the team, looked at the issues and what had been happening, it was actually really quite bad. The team told me of the time the member of staff had took two people out shopping and forgot the 2nd person that was sat in the back of his car. It was only when a member of staff had asked where such a such was and went outside to look, they had found him still in the back of the car. Or the time I walked in to find everyone hungry at 2pm, as he had forgot to make lunch. After looking into a few other examples, I then had to sit down with this member of staff I didn't know very well at all, 25 years my senior, and support him to make a doctors appointment to have a memory assessment done as he was showing signs of early onset dementia. I signed him off work and literally drove him to his GP appointment to ensure he went. I was tackling issue after issue. Another time I recall that was truly awful was when we was supporting an individual who had developed dementia. His needs had become truly great and there was a lot of shouting from him, a high pitched shouting. He lived in a shared house and had lived with his friends for years. It was very distressing for his friends to witness this individuals decline. But the shouting was constant. To the point that when you came home at night, you could still hear the shouting in your ears. The staff were at breaking point. So were his friends. We needed him to move to our care home where they were set up for such needs. But quite simply nobody wanted to fund the extra cost. So the problem was left and ignored. I remember holding out for a mutidisciplinary meeting that was coming up to discuss this individuals case. I remember telling the staff to just hold on a little longer. Pleading with them to stay. They only stayed as they truly cared for the people they supported. The meeting came, and we discussed his case. The powers that be, all of whom have never worked with the individual or even visited the house, concluded that they would wait and monitor the situation. This broke me. I cried. Everyone stared. The thought of going back to the house and telling the staff they had to continue with this torture was truly too much. They simply either didn't care or had misjudged the gravity of the situation. The next day he moved to the care home. The fact it had got to the point of breaking me and the staff, before it was acted upon was just not ok. So I Left So you see, the poo incident was just the straw that broke the camels back. And even though I love supporting people and making people's lives better, I left. And I didn't move to another care job either, I was done. In my eyes at that time, the only way to actually earn a decent wage in care was to move up the ladder, but moving up the ladder simply meant more work, more stress and actually not having any time to care for the people I was there to support. So as great as a carer I was, I left the job, it simply wasn't worth the stress. And certainly wasn't worth what you were paid. And here in lies the issue of the care staff shortage. What is asked of the staff is too great for the mediocre reward/pay they get. And eventually you simply burn out. The burn out is that severe that you turn totally against the care industry and think you will never do that job again. Hence the industry loses so many decent caring talented people, simply because the staff just aren't treated well enough. The Next Stage In My Career I actually went to manage a little independent cinema which was great fun. I remember sitting in the interview wanting this little job so much, just so I could get out of my current job. The owner of the cinema just didn't understand why someone with my qualifications and experience wanted to just have a little job, it was a waste in her eyes. But I was so adamant I wanted a change in pace that I hounded her until she gave me the job! However even at the cinema I still utilised my care background and set up dementia friendly screenings, autism friendly screenings and a children's playgroup. So I still got a little bit of caring type activity in that job too! But covid ended those days there. So in the midst of a pandemic and me needing a job, I took a leap and became a self employed carer. Mainly because places weren't hiring and care was where my skills were, and quite simply I needed to be able to pay the bills (my husband also got made redundant the same week I did, thanks covid!). At the time I wasn't sure being a self employed carer was even a job. Or whether you were allowed to go off alone and provide care to people, without the backing of a big company. But it turns out you absolutely can! So back into care I went. But this time, as a self employed carer. And oh boy, I'm glad I did. I had always wanted to run my own care business and provide high quality care the way it should be done. Turning all my hard work into an actual business that benefitted me and the people I support. But without the hassle and stress of managing staff. And I was wrong, there is a way to make a decent living from care, heading up the management ladder was definelty not it, but going self employed was a game changer for sure. I have never been happier to be back in the care industry for sure. My simple hope, is that others will join me in becoming a self employed carer and discover a better way to deliver care for all. Written by Maria Tomlinson Self Employed Carer Founder of the Professional Carers Network

I get asked all the time, so what do you actually do? Well care is such a varied job it's hard to say exactly so I thought I would tell you about my day yesterday! Lot's of people often ask me, what do you actually do? Then followed sheepishly with, 'is it a lot of personal care?'. it always interests me that this is the part of the job that really puts people off. But I can honestly say, I really don't do that much personal care. And even if I did, that is totally ok too, as I genuinely like making sure people are well presented and feel like themselves. So I'm going to tell you about my day yesterday, totally picked at random, but in truth it is because it's still fresh in my mind! So I dropped the boys off at Dodgeball club, as it's half term, but ordinarily it would be school. I always do the school run, both ends of the day because it is what works best for us as a family. In fact, I have a rule that I don't take any jobs on before 9am and between 3pm-4pm. Being able to set my own rules to suit my lifestyle is a very big perk of being self employed! Getting MY chores done first I then quickly walked my own dog and fed and turned out my horses and goats (I LOVE animals so have a little collection of them!). The day before I took a gentlemen I care for to go and meet my horses and goats. This day the horses had the dentist coming of which I had mentioned to the gentlemen as we were chatting, he looked thoroughly perplexed at the thought of this activity, so I invited him down to come and watch! At 93 years old, he had never seen such a job being done! He thoroughly enjoyed learning about teeth (as the dentist likes to explain in detail what he's looking for and doing!), watching the silliness of the goats and actually sitting in the sunshine, which is always a treat this time of year! For those who also have never seen this, here's a pic of donkey getting her teeth done: Anyhow, I then went to my first job. Meeting people's wants and not just their needs First job is to go to see a gentlemen who's dog we walk either with him or without him, weather depending. So today it was raining so I walked the dog on my own. Often in summer the gentlemen comes with me, I hold the dog as it may pull him over, and pick up the poo as that's too far down these days. But we will often go for a good walk, along the river, or sometimes up to the church yard to visit his wife's grave. But yesterday it was raining, so it was just me and the dog. I then got back to his house and made a sandwich for his lunch, left a note to remind him what he's having for tea and how to cook it, changed his bed, then I sat down and had a cup of tea and a chat. This latter part is the most important aspect of the visit, I always leave time for a brew and a chat with him. I have a little soft spot for this gentlemen, he's 91 and has a wicked sense of humour. There's no need to sensor what you say around him, he's quick witted and you can tell him how it is. He's fabulous fun to visit every day, so it's a great way to start the day! My next job was popping in to administer a lady's medication. She also sent me to the shop to get some milk as she was still in her dressing gown. After that I went to see a couple who live around the corner from me, so it's a super handy job! Which comes in handy at times, as quite often we get a phone call to alert about a fall, or a confusion issue, and we can just pop around and help settle things down again. Anyway this visit is to cook lunch. I cooked pie, chips, fresh veg and gravy. The gravy is super important as the lady loves it! They are an absolute delight to cook lunch for, everything I ever make is 'beautiful and delicious'. Which is a welcome feedback when I'm used to cooking for young children at home where everything is 'horrid'! The joys of children at tea time (which in truth I duck out most of the time as I'm working, so my hubby gets the delights of tea time in our house!). Anyway whilst lunch is cooking, I put the dry washing away, put the filter of the vacuum back together as I washed it the day before, vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom. The lady here likes to help so I prompted her to lay the table, reminding her each time she came into the kitchen what she had come in for, knifes and forks, cups etc. It isn't the quickest way to lay a table, but she feels like she is contributing to lunch. She also likes to wash up, so I wash up the bulk of stuff, but always leave the plates and cups for her to wash. I administered medication and had a good chat with them both. Being flexible I actually had the afternoon off yesterday which was amazing. It gave me a chance to catch up on my own jobs. In truth we've been that busy lately that I've had to let a few things slide, like my horse mucking out standards had got a bit sloppy and the beds were ready for a really good do. In fact they were that bad, I used the JCB instead of a wheelbarrow! For those readers who have eagle eyes, the dead Christmas tree was from the goats stable, apparently goats are meant to eat Christmas trees, but all that happened was the goats walked around it and the needles dropped off. I think they missed the note about the fact they were meant to eat Christmas trees. They are partial to a mince pie though! Anyway, I mention my afternoon off as it felt amazing to be able to catch up on jobs that really needed doing. You know those jobs that are playing on your mind but you just can't get round to doing it. So it was fabulous to be able to get caught up in the middle of my working day. This is a massive perk to being self employed, you can control what you do and when. I honestly don't know how people manage life who have to work 9-5 Monday to Friday! Anyway, I had some availability as we normally see a lady who has dementia on this afternoon. We take her out for the afternoon to give her husband a well deserved break. We often go for a walk, do a bit of shopping, go for a drive, have lunch. Anyway this week she had an appointment so we weren't needed, which is fine, we are more than happy to be flexible to suit people' needs. We also happily support people to attend appointments, as that takes a lot of pressure off families who are still working. Trying to be available to attend numerous appointments and juggling work can be really stressful for family members. So we attend many hospital, doctors, opticians, dentist, chiropody and hair appointments with people as we can juggle our day around to fit in appointments quite easily. Also from a business point of view, attending appointments and making professional connections means that we get a lot of work being sent our way as the professionals often recommend our service to others. As they see first hand the service we deliver, they also come into contact with lots of people needing care so it is quite natural for them to suggest that we may be able to help. It means that we pretty much never need to advertise for work as we are always fully booked or have someone on the waiting list ready to fill the gap when we get one. Anyhow, back to the day. At this point I collected the boys from dodgeball club which they had loved! That was our first try at a holiday club, so I was hoping it would be successful as that is a good future option for childcare. The only slight issue was the youngest did cry a couple of times, in his brother words 'every time Stan got hit by the ball, it was always right in the face!'. Bless him, Stan didn't complain, just a part of playing dodgeball in his eyes! The evening run So after I had jumped in the shower and got clean ready for work again, my work buddy rang me to check in to see how each others day has gone. She finished her phone call with, 'I've dropped E off at the civic hall to play dominoes, please can you pick her up at 5pm'. No problems. In our community the council have introduced 'warm spaces' meetings, so a place where people can go for a few hours for free, get a brew in the warmth and have chat to people. We've been attending quite a few with different people at different times as social interaction is important. (Did you know it has been proven that social isolation is as bad for your health as smoking is?!). Any way last nights meeting was really really busy! It was great to see. I picked up E and gave her friend a lift home too. Once back at Es house, I made her a brew and some tea. Put the tv on to the correct channel for what she wanted to watch as she can be technically challenged at times and placed her pjs on the radiator so they are warm for later. Off I went to make one gentleman his tea, lay up for his breakfast and stoke his fire. He has a wood burner so enjoys a nice warm lounge with a real fire. The week before I had chucked two tonnes of logs into his wood shed, great exercise for me! Then I went to see another gentleman, the same man as my first morning visit to walk his dog. It's always just me and the dog in the evening. Once back I prompt him to have his evening medication, check all the doors are locked, take his shoes and socks off and put his slippers on, and sit down and have a brew and. chat. This evening I also always get his dressing gown out ready for the morning, to remind him that I'll help him to have a shower in the morning so don't get dressed. This system works really well. It took many a month for him to allow me to help him have a shower, it's only about being there incase he falls mainly and to do socks and shoes (we help so many people with socks and shoes, they get quite hard to reach the older you get). Not everyone is open to the idea of having help, even when it's clearly needed. Often you need to have lots of patience, focus on building a relationship and then you can sow the idea of what needs doing. Between visits I also took a phone call from a son of a gentlemen we see. That gentlemen is currently in hospital and I am co-ordinating a discharge for him. He has very firm wishes he wants to come back home, but at 101 years old, every day spent in bed in hospital is a day too many. `On speaking to his son, he asked if I had met his sister who orders the shopping, I had met her for the first time this week as I picked her up from the train station and took her to he hospital to visit her dad. I also took her and her brother to visit a local care home so they can make an informed decision. I've also found a live in carer (a self employed one who is a member of the Professional Carers Network) that has availability and this looks like the preferred option. Because part of providing good care is to recognise when we can't provide the care! His needs have become too much for our care service, so we then need to find other solutions for him which meets his wishes as well as keeping him safe. The next job for me is to then head back down to the horses and goats and pop them to bed. I always include a visit to them in my evening run! Then the last job is to pop back to E and put her warm pjs on, administer meds, have a brew and chat about the day. For a little while there were a few times I got to E a bit later than normal, and she always knew it was because the goats had misbehaved. This always gives her great pleasure as she had warned me before I got them that they would be hard work as they are mischievous creatures. So she loves to hear about the latest goat antics! Here's an example of one of our mishaps, the time when girl goat got her head stuck in the hay feeder and I needed to source bolt cutters to chop her out! Anyway E loves hearing about the mishaps and she has enjoyed a visit or two down to the farm. It brings back memories of earlier days and she does love to be able to say 'well I did tell you!". Then I landed home. So that day is just a snapshot of what a day as a self employed carer might look like. A bit of care, a few jobs, lots of chatting, a fair few cups of tea and leaving people feeling that bit happier. Admittedly most carers might not have the random animal experiences to offer, but that is just me sharing my life with the people I support. As you build relationships and chat about life, you can't help but share aspects of your own life. The people you support enjoy getting to know you, as much as you enjoy getting to know them. So when it is possible to share parts of your life with them, you should make the effort to do so. So I hope that answers the question as to what self employed carers do. The short answer is simple, we do anything that is needed! If you know any carers that love variety and are fabulous at their job! Send them to the Professional Carers Network (www.professionalcarersnetwork.co.uk) and let's champion them to become self employed carers too!

I happened to catch a news story the other day about the shortage of carers. Ironically whilst I was cooking lunch for an elderly couple I care for. The lady in the story was appalled by not being able to find carers for her dying mum. Ultimately making a really hard time for her, even harder. Having cared for many people in that situation, my heart went out to her. The news story also featured an employed carer who was leaving his job because it didn't pay enough for him to be able to live. Not an extravagant life. Simply, didn't pay enough to even pay his bills. He was a senior carer in charge of people and medication, yet he still wasn't paid enough to be able to live well. Even though he loved his job, he eventually had to make the decision to leave for better paid work. It went on to talk about the national shortage of carers across the UK. (Here's the link to the story if you want to read further https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63177547 ) There is a shortage of carers due to issues retaining and recruiting staff, at the same time as a raise in demand for carers as the population's needs change as people are living longer. The article warns the shortage of care workers will increasingly affect people who need support, and their families. As the population's needs change the demand for care will increase As a self employed carer myself, we see how the shortage of carers effects people every day. Especially as the nights draw in, the weather gets colder, the demand for care always increases. We average around 3 referrals a week this time of year, for potential care clients which we have to turn away as we are full. We often ask other local carers who we have made connections with if they have any capacity for further work, sometimes we are lucky and they might have the odd gap, so we are at least able to find a solution to help the person needing care. But more often or not we refer them to a traditional care company. It was the demand for care, in particular our model of care, that lead me to create the Professional Carers Network. A membership where we champion self employed carers. We aim to help people start their own business as a self employed carer and support them throughout their career. As the population's needs are changing, more and more people need support to remain in their own home. But a lot of people who need support can be resistant to the idea of receiving care. They don't want a uniformed care agency going in, not knowing who is going to turn up, or when. Often having a stranger in their house helping them with their personal tasks. Hence why our model of care is so popular. People can accept having one or two self employed carers coming into their home to give them a hand. It's not lots of names to remember and faces to recognise. It's a case of building a relationship with one person who will be able to give you a hand with whatever you are struggling with. Recruiting and retaining staff is a major issue within the care sector But the raising demand for care is not the only reason, and certainly not the main reason, why there is a shortage of carers. The struggle to recruit and retain staff is a major factor as to why the care industry is in crisis. To put it bluntly, people feel it's not a good enough job. Carers work long hours for low money and often end up feeling undervalued and overworked. I have worked in various roles within the care sector ranging from carer to advocacy to management. The higher up the ladder you go, the more money you make, but the less time you spend with people and it becomes more about paperwork. Or you can stay at the working with people level, but never manage to earn a decent income, even after working many many hours. You get phone calls constantly asking you whether you can come into work as they are short staffed. Ultimately, the care sector looses A LOT of really good carers, quite simply because they don't feel cared for themselves. But there is a better way...... However as a self employed carer I have complete control of my own business. I choose when I work, how much I charge, who I work with, where I work and what activities I undertake. As a self employed carer I earn good money. I work hours that fits around my lifestyle. I can attend school plays and sports days without asking permission. I enjoy going to work every day. I have made fabulous relationships with people I would have never have known. As a self employed carer I can see every day the impact the care I deliver has on the person receiving care and their family. I see people who look forward to their care visits, ready to update me from where our last conversation left off. I see people that can attend activities in the community with support so they no longer feel isolated. I see family members being able to take a step back and enjoy their role as daughter or son again, rather than an enforced carer. I finish every day knowing I have done a really really good job today. The aim of the Professional Carers Network is simple, we want to build a network of self employed carers all across the UK. We want more people who need care to be able to have the choice of using a self employed carer. And we want to show potential and current carers how care can be a VERY rewarding career. Being a self employed carer is by far THE BEST move I have ever made. The demand for care and the shortage of carers, can only be solved in one way. You need to make caring a more lucrative career option. You need to tempt people to enter the care sector and you need to retain them. I believe the way to do this is to have more self employed carers. Written by Maria Tomlinson Self Employed Carer Founder of Professional Carers Network For more information about becoming a self employed carer visit www.professionalcarersnetwork.co.uk