It’s funny isn’t it how good can come from bad? Of course, it doesn’t always happen and we have daily proof of that, but when it does we love to hear about it because it’s a corrective – a small triumph…a hopeful path.
There have been many such stories from the darkness of Covid-19 and we’ve clung to them, quite rightly. And because we love them, here’s another:
Diane Meynell had been working in sales for the Scottish food and drinks industry for 25 years and fully expected to remain there until retirement. It was what she knew and what she excelled at. And then the pandemic arrived and she was made redundant – just like that.
And like so many people, she always thought care work was a role requiring no skills or experience and was mostly wiping bottoms. She also couldn’t understand who would choose to do it when they could earn similar money working in a nice shop.
Sprint forward and I’m chatting with Diane who has now been working over two years as a carer for Blossom Home Care, a multi award-winning domiciliary care provider up in Northallerton.
Big question – why?!
“Well, I was in my mid forties and it felt like the right time to try something different. I kept seeing the Blossom advert and then a friend who worked for them suggested it. My dad died of MND four years ago and he had excellent care so it’s something I actually witnessed. I guess a seed was sown back then.”
Blossom offered Diane a job by the end of the week and she has never looked back.
And, of course, it was not at all the image she’d had of care workers: there are full-time and part-time mums, dads, grannies, students taking degrees in psychology and criminology, plus very ‘normal folk’ like Diane with loads of life experience but no background in the care sector. The team is as diverse as can be, but the one thing they have in common is a strong work ethic and a determination to improve the lives of other people.
“Yes, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Truthfully. You make a difference to lives every day. I liked Sales but you never thought you were doing something worthwhile. You were held up as the best of the best as long as you sold more next time. Care is totally different – the more you genuinely look after your clients, the more they feel loved and get what they need. It’s 100 per cent more fulfilling than Sales!”
And so, with the zeal of a convert, Diane took to Facebook to broadcast a rallying cry. She wrote a long, no holds barred personal piece, telling her story and exhorting people to consider a career in care especially if they’re sitting in an office not enjoying it.
It’s certainly not every day on Facebook you get the chance to read about and learn from one person’s conversion to care, but Diane’s story is classic inspiration, and as she writes at the end:
“If you’re stuck in a rut, feeling underwhelmed by your career or don’t feel valued or appreciated, you really can do something about it. Don’t be scared to be nice, kind and helpful for a living. Become a carer. You won’t have any trouble finding a job, and you won’t just be changing the lives of the people you care for. You’ll be changing your own life, too.”
Couldn’t put it better myself, Diane!
Debra Mehta
