Never too old to learn

You’re never too old to learn and Julie Houghton is loving the challenge of developing IT skills in her new role with Caremark Doncaster.

Julie is Caremark Doncaster’s first Field Care Supervisor, a new position that illustrates the growth of the company which now provides over 600 hours care a week to vulnerable people.

“I’ve never been a computer whizz and the thought of finding new skills at the age of 56 was a bit daunting,” said Julie.

“But I’m absolutely loving the challenge and have learnt so much. In fact, I’m enjoying it so much I’ve agreed to move from part-time to full time.”

Brought up in Scunthorpe, Julie worked in hairdressing and beauty after leaving college, then moved to Germany before returning in 2000.

She had to leave hairdressing after discovering an allergy to bleach and found work as a cleaner and a carer with a care company, working hours around raising her young son, Scott.

She found she had a passion for caring and took a role working nights at a care home, assisting people with dementia and in end-of-life care.

Four years of working nights took its toll and Julie switched to days before a friend suggested she join the home care support team at Caremark Doncaster.

“I’m so glad that I did, my life has changed for the better since I joined,” said Julie.

Julie joined in January 2024 and after just a few months Caremark had recognised her potential and she was promoted to the newly created role of Field Care Supervisor with

“That early work in home care support has set my in good stead,” said Julie. “I appreciate the challenges staff face and feel they respect me when I am carrying out checks and know I am there to support them if needed.”

Outside of work Julie’s lifelong passion is horses and she currently has two. A five-year-old Welsh named Vinny, who she raised from being a foal, and 26-year-old retired racehorse Tom. He raced under the name of Sundried Tomato winning eight races including at Ripon and Doncaster.

“The flexibility of hours at Caremark has allowed me to ride the horses out each day and they got me through Covid,” said Julie.

“It also helped build a connection with clients, one was an ex -farmer who loved to talk horses, another was a lady with Parkinsons who always remembered I had horses and would chat about them.”

Julie believes it is that human touch, being able to make connections and gain trust that are vital to good care work.

“I remember one gentleman was so low when we first started to see him, and we came to realise it was because he was so lonely. We began taking him out to a local day centre to meet people and socialise, the difference was amazing,” said Julie.

“It’s so rewarding to see the difference good care can make to peoples’ lives.”