By Mencap
"I became a
support worker
Support workers
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
after being made redundant from a job as a machine operator. My friends and family said I was caring and patient and so after supporting children in care and adults with substance abuse problems, I started supporting people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
.
I’ve worked with one client, Paul* who in his 60s for ten years. We have a good bond, both liking Liverpool football club and ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll and I do everything I can to support him. I take him to doctor's appointments, help him with cleaning, washing, and ironing and getting out into the
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
. I help him go to the gym, swimming, get a haircut and to raise money for charity. Paul is a larger-than-life character and everyone knows him in the community.
The lack of support workers is having a knock-on effect on existing staff.
For example, in November last year, I ended up working 270 hours. So many people were off sick or had Covid so I covered extra shifts. Agency staff might have been an option but I really cared about my client. A disruption to his norm would mean he’d sit and do nothing all day."
Sadly, my concerns about Paul ended up affecting my health. I got rushed to hospital with heart pains and was told I’d had a panic attack, caused by the stress."
"My doctor gave me medication and Mencap have been a huge support at balancing my wellbeing."