Care Professional Karen’s Story

10 Years of Care, Connection and Quiet Moments That Matter

Karen didn’t set out to work in adult care.

For 35 years, she worked as a nanny, supporting families and caring for children through all the little daily moments that make up life. The early mornings, the school runs, the endless repetition of colours and numbers. She loved it, properly loved it.

But as she puts it, there comes a point where you realise you’ve said “let’s learn our numbers” one too many times, and you start wondering what else might be out there.

A Chance Conversation That Changed Everything

It was a conversation with a friend that nudged things in a different direction. She mentioned someone setting up a Home Instead office locally and, curious more than anything, Karen decided to give Greg a call.

They had a chat, and in one of those small-world moments, she realised she already knew his mum through a volunteer group supporting older people. It felt like a comfortable place to start.

What drew Karen in was something quite simple. She didn’t want to rush in and out of people’s homes, ticking off tasks. She wanted time to sit, to listen, and to really get to know someone.

That’s exactly what she found at Home Instead, where visits are long enough to actually matter, whether that’s helping around the house or simply sharing a cup of tea and a story.

“It’s a Privilege, Really”

Now, more than ten years on, Karen describes her role as a privilege, and she doesn’t say that lightly.

She talks about the stories she’s heard over the years, memories of wartime, childhoods that look nothing like today, lives that might otherwise go unheard. She talks about the flexibility too, the ability to say yes to a spontaneous trip to a garden centre, or to slow things down on a rainy afternoon and just be there.

The Grenada Breakthrough

One moment she remembers still makes her smile. A gentleman she supported would constantly compare her to another Care Professional, Claire, who in his eyes could do no wrong.

Karen could easily have taken it to heart, but instead she got curious.

He spoke often about his life in Grenada, so one day she brought in her iPad and used Google Earth to explore it with him. Street by street, memory by memory. That was the turning point. After that, she says, “I was fine.”

It wasn’t about proving herself, it was about meeting him where he was.

Caring Doesn’t Stop at Work

Like many of our Care Professionals, Karen’s caring role doesn’t stop at work.

She also supports her mum, who is nearly 92, alongside her siblings. It’s not always easy, and she’s honest about that. But the training and experience she’s gained through Home Instead has given her confidence she never expected to have. Not just for her clients, but for her own family too.

Support When You Need It Most

She speaks warmly about the support from the office team, the reassurance that someone is always at the end of the phone if needed.

And while caring for others had always come naturally to her, the training helped her adapt those skills to supporting older people, giving her the confidence to handle things she’d never had to think about before.

A Small Badge That Means a Lot

When Karen recently received her 10-year badge, along with flowers and a few thoughtful gifts, it clearly meant a lot.

Not in a grand, showy way, but in that simple sense of being seen and appreciated. Because as she says, it’s never just the two hours you spend with someone. It’s everything you bring with you into that time.

“Just Come On Board”

If you ask Karen what she would say to someone considering a role in care, her answer is straightforward.

“Just come on board,” she says. “You get the support you need, lovely clients… it’s one of the best care companies, in my opinion.”

And after ten years, she would know.

If Karen’s story has inspired you to wonder if a career in care is for you or you’re ready for a change, please do get in touch and have a chat. Either email or call 01737 529793.