A key worker from Lanarkshire knew she was rolling down the right track after leaving her job with a rail company to work in the care sector.
Catrina Shevlin loves her job at Cera Care North Lanarkshire, not just because no two days are ever the same, but because she knows her work makes a difference to people’s lives every single day.
Cera Care is contracted by local authorities around Scotland, including North Lanarkshire Council, to provide home care support.
Initially starting as a frontline care worker, a far cry from her previous role as a customer service manager with a railway company, Catrina, from Newarthill, was promoted in May last year and is Care Co-ordinator for Wishaw and Bellshill.
“I had always wanted to work in the care sector but I was a bit nervous about whether I would be able to do the job,” Catrina admits. “I had no need to worry as my employers gave me full training. It involved three full days on a training course then a period of time shadowing out on call with my work colleagues.”
The 38-year-old started work with the company in November 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.
Having been there herself Catrina realises the support she gives her own 32-strong team of front line care workers as their manager is greatly appreciated. Responsibilities also include liaising with the local authorities, GPs and the families of those who receive care
“My job is now office based supporting my colleagues in the field,” Catrina continued.
“No matter what they face every day on their house-to-house visits providing care in the community, we are always here to support and advise.
“They are out visiting elderly and vulnerable people every day, providing personal care, medicines and companionship to many people in their own homes. My responsibility is to see that we deliver all our care visits on time.
“I am enormously proud of my team members. Everything we do is to help people live longer, better and healthier lives in their own homes.”
Although isolation restrictions don’t apply to the general public they still apply to care workers, if someone is off sick with Covid they have to isolate for the required amount of time. That brings extra pressure but Catrina is up for the challenges the job throws up.
“I love the pace of this job and the fact that you often have to think on your feet how to deal with a problem that may have arisen for a care worker out on a visit,” she added. “There is a lot of problem solving which I find exhilarating.”
Cera provides training funding for all staff from SVQ to degree level. The company recently carried out a study into what motivates care workers to the job and one of the most popular reasons was previous experience of caring for a loved one and wanting to give back to their local communities.
Catrina continued: "I also ensure that all team members have their qualifications, and they’re updated when required.
"We are supporting the most vulnerable in our communities, providing reassurance and support to their families and relieving pressure on the NHS by keeping people out of hospital and enabling them to live in their own homes for as long as possible.”
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