Chasing Youths With Carving Knives

Welcome back, deep divers.

Today, we’re doing something a little different, a little more personal, you could say.

Oh.

We’re diving into your career journey.

Mine.

Yeah.

Yes.

Exploring how you ended up in care work.

It wasn’t a straight path, was it?

Definitely not straight.

Yeah, full of twists and turns and unexpected stops along the way.

But that’s what makes it so interesting, right?

Absolutely.

I mean, it’s proof that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones you don’t plan for.

Exactly.

And our source material, well, it’s straight from the source, so to speak.

Your blog posts.

Yeah.

The Curriculum Vitae series.

Ah, yes.

Ad Absurdum, Memento Vivere, and all that.

Right.

We’ll uncover those hidden gems of insight.

Yeah.

How you went from stacking straw bales to feeding turkeys to, well, where you are now.

It is quite a range, isn’t it?

It is.

And it all started with those early jobs.

You know, not your typical resume highlights.

Not exactly glamorous, no.

But you know, it’s fascinating.

Even back then, there was this sense of, like, you weren’t quite satisfied.

Like, you were searching for something more.

There was always a feeling of disconnect, I think.

Like, what I was doing didn’t really resonate with, you know, who I was or wanted to be.

Like, those jobs were almost helping you figure out what you didn’t want.

Exactly.

A process of elimination.

And I think a lot of people can relate to that.

That feeling of, is this all there is?

Yeah, especially today, when there’s so much pressure to find your dream job.

And you even mentioned feeling like there was something wrong with you, because you weren’t finding satisfaction in those, you know, typical jobs.

It’s easy to internalize that societal pressure, you know?

So you went to uni, studied psychology, hoping to, as you put it, find a fix.

It seemed like a logical step at the time.

But even that wasn’t a straight shot to a fulfilling career, was it?

Not at all.

I mean, even choosing Bolton Institute over Manchester Polytechnic, you know, because of that fear of the big city.

Yeah, you talked about that.

That hesitation to, like, fully embrace the unknown.

It was this push and pull between wanting something more and, well, being afraid to actually go for it.

And then there was the U.S., the exchange program, the road trips, climbing a mountain.

Those experiences were eye-opening, for sure.

You were tasting possibilities, right?

Outside those traditional structures back home.

But still, I hadn’t quite figured out where I fit in, you know?

And that struggle really came through in those short-lived jobs after graduating.

That research assistant role, for example.

You even said interviews weren’t your forte.

Oh, I was terrible at interviews.

Still am, probably.

But you got the job through a friend.

Yeah, she put in a good word, thankfully.

I spent three years there, more focused on living in Manchester than actually doing research, if I’m honest.

You were exploring life outside work.

Makes sense.

And then came the warehouse job where you confronted the agency for not paying the workers.

Someone had to do it.

It felt wrong, you know?

And let’s not forget that trainee manager interview where you practically ran out because of the bizarre chanting.

Marketing jargon at its finest.

I couldn’t handle it.

It’s almost comical how these seemingly unrelated experiences were shaping your path, leading you towards something more aligned with your values.

It’s like I was subconsciously rejecting those paths that just didn’t feel right.

And then there was dominoes.

Yeah.

80-hour weeks for a pittance, all the leftover pizza you could eat.

More like culinary torture, to be honest.

And it culminated in that chaotic Saturday night shift.

You couldn’t keep up with the orders.

The phones are ringing off the hook.

Pure chaos.

I knew I couldn’t do it anymore.

Your dad even threatened to get you a job at the pea processing plant, right?

Oh yeah, he did.

Thankfully, I escaped that fate by landing the job at the burger bar.

The one where you chased those youths down the street with a carving knife?

A classic story.

But looking back, it really reflects my state of mind at the time.

Restless, frustrated.

And that brings us to a turning point, a pivotal moment that completely changed your trajectory.

Yeah, this is where things get interesting.

You applied for a job as a personal carer in a residential home.

Now, considering your previous work experience, that seems like a pretty radical shift.

It was.

Looking back, it feels almost like a leap of faith.

You even mentioned being surprised by the hands-on nature of the work.

You thought it’d be more psychological care, right?

Exactly.

I quickly found myself immersed in the day-to-day realities of caring for elderly residents.

So from chasing youths with carving knives to caring for the elderly, quite a transformation.

Quite a transformation indeed.

But what’s remarkable is that I adapted and I actually started to thrive in that role.

And you weren’t just going through the motions, were you?

You went above and beyond, focusing on the residents' needs beyond just the basic care.

It felt right, you know?

Like I was finally making a real difference in people’s lives.

And that made a world of difference, didn’t it?

Yeah.

It was amazing to think about how the atmosphere in the home shifted, how the residents became more engaged and content.

It was amazing to see.

Just by treating them with dignity and respect, by seeing them as individuals, it created such a positive impact.

You were even promoted, weren’t you?

First to senior care and then care services manager.

I was.

All that, despite, you know, my lack of formal experience in the field.

Which is interesting, right?

It kind of challenges that idea that you need to follow this, like, linear path to succeed.

Totally.

Sometimes those unexpected detours are what lead you to where you’re supposed to be.

Exactly.

Your journey is a perfect example of that, you know?

Adaptability, being open to opportunities.

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, was it?

There were challenges too.

Like you mentioned, the suspicions of financial misconduct by the manager.

Yeah, that created a bit of a difficult atmosphere, to say the least.

And there were limited opportunities for advancement, right?

So you started looking for new ways to pro, make a bigger impact.

I needed to spread my wings a bit, you know?

So you landed a job as a therapeutic activities coordinator.

Another leap of faith.

Seems like a natural progression, but also a huge expansion of your responsibilities.

Definitely.

It was about, you know, going beyond basic care and really enriching the lives of the residents.

You weren’t just at one home, right?

You were overseeing three different homes.

Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Humberston.

Three very different places, each with their own unique challenges.

And then there was Steve.

Steve, your colleague in Hall.

Yeah, the social worker.

He wasn’t exactly thrilled about me, someone without a formal social work background stepping into this role.

Ah, a little professional attention.

You could say that, but you know, I shadowed him for a couple of days, took detailed notes.

I wanted to learn the ropes properly.

Very proactive.

You recognized the importance of, you know, learning from experience.

Absolutely.

The resident’s wellbeing was my top priority.

And then came the Anchorage.

Oh yeah, you talked about that in your blog.

Your first experience there was a bit of a shock, wasn’t it?

It was.

Rundown, smelly residents who seemed almost unresponsive.

Quite a contrast to the previous home, which you described as so welcoming and lively.

It was.

I remember thinking, how am I gonna do this?

You even compared the upstairs to a madhouse, bringing back some unsettling memories.

It was that bad.

But I knew I needed to do something, you know?

I couldn’t just stand by and let things continue like that.

So what did you do?

Well, my boss expected a full timetable of activities right away, but I realized we needed a more fundamental shift.

The shift.

Yeah, like a change in the entire culture of the home.

Engaging with residents, understanding their stories, their needs.

You needed to raise the dead, as you put it, figuratively speaking, of course.

Exactly.

It was about reawakening their spirits, giving them something to look forward to.

And did it work?

You know, it really did.

They became more engaged, more alert.

Some even started walking again.

Wow.

That’s incredible.

It shows the power of focusing on the whole person, not just their physical needs.

Absolutely.

Recognizing their inherent dignity, you know?

And it wasn’t just the residents.

The staff became happier too, more motivated.

A positive ripple effect.

Yeah.

And then there was that trip you organized to the Excel Club.

Ah, the Excel Club.

That was a special one.

It sounded amazing.

Coaches, a minibus, all the residents from the three homes, dancing, eating, reminiscing.

Of a blast from the past.

It was incredible to see their faces light up, remembering their younger days.

It sounds like you were truly living your purpose, making a real difference.

I was.

And then Steve and I, we decided to, you know, push things a bit further.

You presented a business case to the board of directors.

Yeah, we proposed expanding the activities program, giving everyone a well-deserved pay raise.

Sounds like a win-win.

What happened?

They rejected it, flat out.

Really?

Why?

Bad reality, but care work is often undervalued, underfunded.

The people who dedicate their lives to it, they’re not always appreciated the way they should be.

That must have been incredibly disheartening.

After all your efforts, your vision.

It was a real blow.

Yeah, it made me question a lot of things, you know?

So you decided to move on?

I did.

It was tough.

But I knew I couldn’t stay in an environment that didn’t value what we were doing.

You weren’t willing to compromise on your purpose.

Exactly.

And, you know, for the next 14 years, I continued working in therapeutic activities, mostly with older people with dementia.

14 years.

You really found your niche.

I did.

And later on, I even transitioned into training and employment for adults with psychotic diagnoses.

Wow, that’s quite a shift.

It was.

But it felt like a natural progression, you know?

Still working with vulnerable populations, but in a different context.

And you went from, as you put it, wiping arses, to leading a rehabilitation center.

Uh-huh, yeah.

That about sums it up.

It’s amazing how your journey unfolded, you know?

Full of twists and turns, but ultimately leading you to a place where you’re making a real difference.

It’s been quite a ride.

And I think it shows that, you know, meaning and fulfillment, they’re not always about the fancy titles or the big paychecks.

Right, it’s about finding that work that aligns with your values, your passions, and actually makes a positive impact.

Exactly.

And sometimes, those opportunities, they’re found in the most unexpected places.

And that’s what makes your story so inspiring, you know?

It’s an invitation to embrace the unknown, trust your gut, and be open to the possibility that your true calling might be something you never even considered.

You never know where life might take you, right?

Exactly.

Well, thank you for sharing your journey with us today.

It’s been a fascinating deep dive into the world of care work, and a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most fulfilling paths are the ones we least expect.

Thanks for having me.

And for our listeners out there, we hope this has sparked some inspiration, maybe even encouraged you to reconsider your own path.

Who knows what amazing opportunities might be waiting just around the corner.

Until next time, keep those deep diving spirits high.