Throughout the year we profile a care professional who has come into the sector after a career change and who demonstrates that it really is never too late to care! This month we meet Sharon Taylor, from Creative Support, who was inspired during the pandemic to go from acting to care.
Sharon Taylor is a Support Worker for Creative Support in Doncaster, who has had an interesting journey to care. Starting off as a self-employed masseuse, Sharon then made waves in the acting industry, even attending a red carpet premiere. However, caring has always been in Sharon’s nature, and taking a part-time role as a support worker was one of the ‘best things she’s ever done in her life’. Despite her success, Sharon’s not letting the fame go to her head, and always makes sure to count her blessings.
“I’ve been on Ackley Bridge and Emmerdale, and I was a punk rocker in an 80’s-themed film where I had a few lines,” said Sharon. Most recently, Sharon was standing in for Monica Dolan in Typist Artist Pirate, where she got to walk the red carpet in Scotland.
Sharon’s hard-working attitude, warm character and talent is a recipe for success in the acting world, but also in her role in care.
“When people were feeling down on set I’d try to bring them up or sing with them, have a bit of a joke, and hopefully that’s what I do at Creative Support! It’s in my nature, I’m just a very giving person. I like bringing positives out of the negatives, as you’ve only got one life. I think I get my attitude from my dad, he was such a positive soul. He had struggles, but there was always humour and happiness. We didn’t have a lot of material things but we had the love and happiness of a wonderful father. My dad had leukaemia, and I nursed my mum in the last three years of her life, so I also have my caring side from there. My sister’s a nurse and so are my aunties, I think it’s just in my blood!”
When Sharon first started out acting she was a self-employed masseuse.
“Covid knocked my business for a while, and I thought I have to get out of this rut and give back somewhere.” She saw the opportunity to take a part-time position at Creative Support, meaning she could continue her massage and acting work.
“My gut was telling me to go for this job, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. I love the staff, my manager Hannah and all the residents. I feel that I’m at home when I walk into the service in the morning. It’s such a wonderful place to work and I would never leave. I love giving my support to people, we’ll sing and dance and there’s a lot of joy and love.”
Sharon always makes sure to count her blessings and realise her full circle moments.
“It’s so lovely, I feel like a lot of doors are opening for me. I don’t know where it’s going to take me, but I just go with the flow. Life is amazing. I’ve got a roof over my head, food in my belly, what more could you want? I never yearn for massive houses, all I want is love and happiness and beautiful people around me. If you’ve got that you’re a rich woman. I’m a millionaire!”
www.creativesupport.co.uk
