“Since I started this job it really makes me feel like I’m doing something special every day”
For Melvin Gould, ending up in the social care sector was something he never imagined, but now he wishes he had started years ago. After deciding to stop driving a delivery van due to the physical demands and long distances, Melvin was trying to figure out what to do next.
His partner, Ashley, already worked in Harmony Community Care Services and saw a promotional email that offered a bonus for referring someone. She jokingly suggested he should apply. Melvin originally laughed it off but couldn’t keep it at a distance for too long.
The 53-year-old from Lisburn explained, “In a way, it was my way out of delivery driving. I knew it would be local, but not as much pressure on me as the driving aspect. When I applied for the Community Care Assistant role, I never actually thought I would get it.”
Moving from a driving job to social care would be a huge step for anyone, and for Melvin it was no different.
Speaking about the transition, he explained, “It was very scary at the beginning. I had to go out on a few inductions with others in the role, and after the first two, I started worrying I had made a mistake and it wasn’t for me.”
However, after a month on the job, the feeling of fear quickly faded, and Melvin realised he was in the right place. One of the things that makes him so sure of this is that now, he can’t wait for the morning to come so he can head off to work.
He explained, “In previous jobs, I have really struggled to get up when my alarm goes off. But, with this job as soon as my alarm goes off, I’m up. Sometimes I find myself checking my alarm to make sure I haven’t slept in. I’m dealing with human beings, there are people relying on me to be on time. It feels good to get up for that reason”
Starting his days at 6:15 am, Melvin calls on approximately 20-30 people, and he can pay multiple visits to them throughout the day.
Explaining what his daily tasks involve, he said, “The mornings would usually be focussed on personal care, like help support the people he cares for tot get up for the day and washed, helping with their medication and breakfast. Some of them are bed bound so they would either stay in bed or we would help them to get up for the day.”
While he knows the importance of the physical aspect of the job, Melvin believes the most meaningful part is in the conversation he has.
“Everyone relies on the chats that we have, even for ten minutes. It’s such a big part of their day. Everything else is obviously vital to the role, but it’s the conversations we have which brightens their day.”
Although it’s a completely different career path than driving, it doesn’t mean he the skills gained from his previous job cannot be used.
He explained, “When you first get assigned the people you support, they aren’t always listed in order, and then when you’re driving you have to deal with getting yourself to a lot of different locations, so getting to do it in a car rather than a delivery van definitely made it all easier to get around.”
It’s the building of relationships with the people he supports which Melvin believes is the most rewarding part of the job, explaining, “It’s hard to put it into words but as soon as you walk into home, and their personal space…their bedroom and they see you standing there, most of them are so happy to see you. People depend on us – they trust us. The highlight of my day comes from making a difference in theirs.”
As Melvin’s daily visits are always with the same people, they see him every day at the same time. This sense of familiarity helps them build a relationship with Melvin, allowing trust to flourish.
“There may be awkwardness at the beginning of any relationship, when you’re meeting person you support and their family, but it disappears, especially when you see them every single day and you get to know each other.”
It’s also not just the people be supports that get are supported by his work in social care, but also their families.
He said, “The way their families react to us helping is indescribable. They are so grateful for any small thing we do. You couldn’t buy the appreciation, it’s amazing.”
Melvin’s dad was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease around a year and a half ago, giving him a whole new perspective on his job in social care.
He explained, “I deal with a lot of family members and I see how they react and cope with everything going on around them, so it has given me a better understanding of what me and my family will have to deal with in the future.”
Although there are many positives to the job, it’s not without its challenges. Melvin explained, “The emotional side was harder to deal with at the beginning, but I’ve built myself up.”
Not only has Melvin found himself affecting the lives of the people he supports every day and their families, he has also been encouraging people to join the social care profession.
“One of the people I provide care to has a grandson who is always there when I visit. He’s really great with his grandad, and he said he wished he could do a job like this because he sees first-hand the impact it can make, so I suggested if he was looking for some work over the summer, he should apply into social care and he’s just had his first interview.”
Speaking about what advice he had for anyone considering social care as a career, Melvin believes if you stick with it, you’ll be happy.
“Don’t let the stigma of things like personal care put you off. If you don’t let the first hurdle stop you then I guarantee by the end you’ll have no regrets. Since I started this job three and a half years ago, it makes me feel like I’m doing something special every day.”
Want to find out more about Melvin’s story? Watch his video below.
Feeling inspired? Working together to change people’s lives… Make a difference by embarking on your journey into social care. For more information on how you can start your journey check out our A career in social care page or read more social care stories here.
ENDS