Forward planning

Having previously served with the Royal Logistics Corp, Senior Care Co-Ordinator Christina Brooksbank knows how important forward planning can be in delivering the best service possible.

And having overcome her own personal health crisis, she also appreciates the importance of companies taking good care of their staff as well as their customers.

Christina was working for a different care company when she suffered a stroke that left her hospitalised.

“They didn’t get in touch to see how I was and just didn’t seem to care, it was as if I was just a number to them,” said Christina.

“I’d lost all feeling to my right side and realised I wouldn’t be able to continue working in home support but I didn’t want to leave caring as I love the job so much.”

Christina successfully applied for a Care Co-ordinator post with Caremark Mansfield and Ashfield and has since been promoted to the role of Senior Care Co-ordinator where her responsibilities include organising rotas, customer support and back to work and mental health support meetings for staff.

“From my own experience I appreciate the difference it makes to know you work for a company that cares not just about its customers but also its staff,” said Christina.

“It’s important staff know we are here if they need to talk about any stress or issues that might arise.”

Christina had followed a family tradition in joining the army when she left school at 18 and served with the Royal Logistics in Belgium and in France. When she returned to civvy street she worked for autoglass, fitting car windscreens before being made redundant.

Her two daughters Trinity and Lottie arrived and she worked a series of part time jobs including shopworker and cleaning. When the girls were both old enough to go to school, Christina decided to return to full time working and a change of career.

“I came into homecare and after the first few days I wanted to run away, I had never experienced dementia before and felt out of my depth,” she said. “I gave myself a good talking to, took advantage of the support available and knuckled down.”

Christina says she soon came to realise the positive difference she was making to people’s lives.

“When I walked through the door I saw how the clients smiled, that was so rewarding and made me confident I could do the job,” she said.

“That early experience in home support was important, it means in my current senior role I appreciate the challenges faced by staff and clients.”

Christina, 33, believes having a caring personality, an open mind and patience are key to being a good carer and would encourage anyone to give it a go.

“Don’t believe you can’t do something until you have given it your best,” she said.

“I remember how petrified I felt on my first day, now seven years on I’m still here and absolutely love my job.”