Leading with compassion – Jessica Gwaringa says a great carer is empathetic, patient and reliable.
JESSICA’ S‘ SIX Cs’ NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT CARER
Care Compassion Courage Competence Commitment Confidence
Moonrise works closely with Durham’ s Derwentside College and Middlesbrough College, attending open days and helping students gain placements.
“ Even without qualifications, we’ ll guide you through NVQ training,” says Jess.
“ We can teach skills, but we can’ t teach heart.” Care, she stresses, is also about responsibility.
“ This job is about people’ s lives. If you’ re in it simply to make money, it’ ll never work.”
Opportunities that grow with you
Starting as a care assistant can open doors to nursing, social work, management or specialist roles such as dementia or children’ s care.
“ I’ ve seen people start nervous and unsure, and within a few years they’ re leading teams,” says Jess.“ If you put your heart into it, there’ s no limit to where you can go.”
Care also builds lifelong skills of teamwork, communication, empathy and confidence.
“ You’ ll be more patient, better at problem-solving and more understanding- skills that help wherever life takes you,” she adds.
And the best part? You don’ t have to wait. You can volunteer, apply for apprenticeships or start a trainee role where you earn while you learn.
“ If you have the right mindset, Moonrise will help you gain the qualifications you need to progress,” says Jessica.
IF YOU’ RE KIND AND COMMITTED, IT COULD BE THE BEST DECISION YOU EVER MAKE.
Getting started in care
Jessica’ s advice to young people is simple. Choose college subjects linked to health and take every chance to volunteer or shadow a carer.
“ Start small if you need to,” she says.“ If you feel that connection with people, you’ ll know you’ re on the right path.”
She’ s honest that it’ s not always easy.
“ There will be hard days and sleepless nights, but the rewards are worth it. You’ re changing lives every single day.”
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