The Devon Care Ambassador project was established in 2005 in Devon with then co-ordinator Dee West.The project is now co-ordinated by Kate Shiggins. Kate was one of the first group of Care Ambassadors to be trained in Devon and has stayed with the project ever since.

 

‘I have always loved being a part of this project and feel privileged to co-ordinate it.’

 

Devon now has 45 dedicated Care Ambassadors. "Our Care Ambassadors are all different ages, have a huge variety of job roles and all have very different routes in to care.  What they do have in common is that they are all enthusiastic and passionate about raising the profile of social care!"

 

The Devon Care Ambassadors are involved in many different programes of working with schools, colleges, the Society Health & Development Diploma and Apprenticeship partnerships. Also a wide range of community groups and organisations such as Jobcentre Plus, Gateway to Work and Working Links.

 

It is essential that more people are encouraged into the profession. This can only be done by raising the status and image of care work, and demonstrating the career routes and opportunities available. Care Ambassadors break the myths about working in Social Care and give an honest account of what it’s really like. There is no better way to inspire a new group or generation of social care professionals.

 

Back in December 2009 Care Ambassadors delivered a presentation to a group of unemployed people at Working Links Plymouth. The group knew of Social Care but not the different routes into the sector or the variety of job roles in the sector. Donna Beveridge, our Care Ambassador from Warwick Park nursing home Plymouth delivered the presentation and at the time had a vacancy at Warwick Park. Tania Emberson one of the very keen members of the group asked about Donnas’ workplace as she lived near. Donna was so impressed with her enthusiasm she recommended her to her manager  and Tania had an interview the same week. Tania is now working at Warwick Park nursing home in Plymouth and attended Care Ambassador Training in February 2010. Tania is completing her NVQ2 in Health and Social Care. Tania has also been back to Working Links to deliver a presentation about her experiences within the Care Sector ‘I am so glad I met Donna at Working Links this is the best career move I ever made I have never worked in Social Care before, I wish I had made the move years ago. I am so proud to be a Care Ambassador and love talking to others about the opportunities in Care and how rewarding it is’. – Tania Emberson Warwick Park Plymouth

 

In March 2009 Care Ambassadors first met Andy Fox at a Care Recruitment day in Barnstaple North Devon. He listened to our presentation and chatted to Care Ambassadors afterwards and said he felt touched by the talk and is very much interested in working in Social Care. Andy now works at Pilton House Residential Home in Barnstaple North Devon and attended Care Ambassador training in April 2010. ‘I love my job and I love telling others about my job. I don’t fit the stigma for a care assistant so I love breaking that barrier’ –Andy Fox Pilton House

Andy is now studying his NVQ2 and will be training up to management.

 

If you would like to find out more about the Devon Care Ambassador Project, you are a teacher wanting a workshop or would like to know more about our work with unemployed groups across Devon please contact Kate Shiggins, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  07800 849804.