Posted
5 March 2021
Careers Week: “I Ended my Maternity Leave Early to Help Out” Jade’s Story
Jade Laker, a Flexi Senior Carer at Rogers House, was on maternity leave when the pandemic took hold but despite being only half way through her leave, she felt a need to help the vulnerable.
“Working in care runs in our family, I watched my mum be a carer for many years and she absolutely loves it,” says Jade. “I started my career aged 16 working in a care home kitchen as a domestic, at 18-years-old I moved to the care side and took a role as a carer, as a senior thought I had the potential to be a care giver.”
“When the pandemic started in March 2019, I decided to return to work early as I wanted to help the vulnerable so I took the position of flexi senior carer at Rogers House. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to get back to working in care after spending a lot of time working in hospitals before my maternity leave. I always wanted to become a senior, as I have held my NVQ 3 and medication training for many years. Throughout the past year I’ve been helping with medication rounds, corresponding with families and GPs, as well as dealing with emergencies.
Jade, who eventually wants to be a nurse or a midwife, says she is focussing on her family for now. “I think the pandemic has changed how I approach my work in many ways, it has taught me to lead by example and I am more appreciative.
“Likewise, I think the pandemic has changed how the wider community view care too, I think many people took it for granted but now they have more appreciation and a level of respect.”
