Local Men Find New Career in Care

Company news

Aug 12, 2009

Care UK was particularly pleased to have had so many applications from men as the company is keen to encourage more of a gender balance within the profession so that it can respond to the needs of its service users.

Most of the new jobs were for staff to care for vulnerable people in their own homes.  However, the company also offers a range of other opportunities across the country varying from administration to facilities management and IT to outdoor adventure activities.

Melanie Gething, training manager, Newcastle-under-Lyme Branch Community Care Services at Care UK said “Coming from a job working in the pottery industry, I really understood the anxiety that so many local people felt when the pottery closed and so many jobs were lost. This is why I was so pleased to tell people about the great opportunities available when you work in the caring profession, and particularly working for a national employer like Care UK.”

Chris Dunn (pictured, right), and Andrew Ramczykowski (pictured, left) both started working for Care UK in the local area, following previous roles at Creda and Wedgewood respectively.

Chris Dunn, a Carer in the community with Care UK in the Cheadle area, said: “I started working for Care UK last year because I wanted to do something different having been a fork lift truck driver for 20 years. My dad was an ambulance man and I’d volunteered with the Red Cross as a first aider in the past, so I’ve always thought about working in a caring job. I get so much job satisfaction out of being a carer compared to my old job – I love working with people and helping them, and it’s really rewarding to build up relationships with the people I care for, and their families. It is a big change, but I’ve been given a lot of training and I’m working towards my NVQ Level 2. I would recommend a career in care to anyone who wants a rewarding job that helps people.”

Andrew Ramczykowski was made redundant when Wedgewood closed earlier this year. He started working as a carer for Care UK in March. He said: “It has been a big change from working in the pottery industry, but I am really enjoying my work as a carer. It’s so rewarding when you build up relationships with the people you look after and you earn their trust

Nicola Geagen, Business Manager at the branch said “We are always delighted when people choose to pursue a career with Care UK, and we were particularly pleased that so many local people applied for jobs at Care UK. It’s such a rewarding job and there is no reason why men should not enjoy it just as much as our female carers do.”