The students then got to see John Wills House, which caters for those who need a higher level of care and were able to see how these needs are catered for.  Equipment and aids were looked at, they were very surprised by the hoist as the pictures show!  This takes a resident from a sitting down position, to their bathroom without any hitches.

These sessions are hugely important to schools, who cannot replicate such sessions in a school environment.  Young people begin to see the positive elements of ‘care’ and not the side the media like to portray.

I am always looking for new providers to visit – if you would like to get involved, please call me.

Sue Everett has been a Care Ambassador for the past 2 years and is actively involved in the scheme.  Sue is a great role model for young people considering making choices about a career in social care.  She is a manager at just 26 years old, having had a very busy few years in her professional career, with some challenges along the way!  Sue supports adults with Asperger Syndrome.  She also volunteers her time and energy to other projects and is truly passionate about her work and her role as a Care Ambassador. It has been a real pleasure watching Sue’s career grow since I have known her.  See Profiles page for more information.

Care Ambassadors and I attended the Care Jobs Fair at the Council House which was held recently in Bristol Penny, Jane and Lee-Anne all work at St. Monica Trust in Bristol and completed their training back in February 2010.  This was their first event, so the nerves were definitely present, though not for long!  6 Care Ambassadors volunteered for this event, which is unheard of (!), so we split them into a.m and p.m. shifts.  Mentoring the new CA’s is part of the training, so I was there to be on hand should anything come up.  We took lots of enquiries and sign-posted people to specific stands if they had representatives.  Care Ambassadors are able to share their expertise and knowledge at these events and learn a little bit themselves too!

On a beautiful sunny day over 150 Year 10’s from local South Gloucestershire schools, gathered together to participate in an event that involved a dummy crash scene with the emergency services in attendance from Fire, Police and Ambulance. A session followed involving character case studies and the opportunity for students to interview a variety of professionals from Health & Social Care.

The event was a real success and students feedback was hugely positive.

Simon Edwards, one of our Care Ambassadors, volunteered to be interviewed as part of the ‘Meet the professionals’ team.  Simon is an Early Years Practitioner and works in a Children’s Centre in Bristol.  Simon breaks all the stereotypes in childcare as a male childcare worker, an essential message to get across to all young people – there are no ‘typical’ care workers.  Men following up careers into care remains low, as it is with healthcare.  Workforce dynamics and media have a part to play in this, but the male Care Ambassadors have a role to play in hopefully changing this message.