Invaluable support

It was after experiencing first-hand the invaluable support carers provide that Claire Trotter vowed she’d join the profession herself.

Claire suffered a stroke in 2015 that left her partially paralysed and in need of home care support and daily physio.

“I was so grateful to the carers who came to help me,” said Claire. “They inspired me, I did a lot of thinking and decided when I was back on my feet, I wanted to do something to help people.”

Now Claire uses her own experience of being on the receiving end of care to gain the trust of clients and put them at ease.

“I realise they are often people who don’t really want to have to accept help but need to if they want to be able to live in their own home,” said Claire. “I can explain I do understand exactly how they feel from my own experience.”

Before her stroke Claire had spent 11 years working in a pub and 19 years with Sainsburys, including customer services and finds the life skills she learned in these public facing jobs are an asset in her new role.

“It’s all about listening to people to gain an understanding of their needs. I understand the resentment people can have at not being able to do what they want,” said Claire. “It’s nothing personal towards you, it’s because of the frustrating situation they are in. By showing empathy you can develop a trust and move forward together.”

Claire, 55, admits when she first joined Caremark Mansfield and Ashfield, she was shocked at the number of people there are that need home care support.

“I was fortunate that I have a daughter and grandchildren who were able to help me as well as the carers, but it was a real eye-opener to see how many people rely totally on home care support,” said Claire. “I look to help them as if they were my own parents or grandparents.”

Claire’s dedication has seen her named Carer of the Year alongside her colleague Nicola Carter at the recent Caremark Mansfield and Ashfield Annual Carer Awards.

Now she’s looking forward to enjoying a spa day as part of the prize.

“I was shocked and even said ‘did no-one else enter!’” joked Claire.

“All the team are fantastic and so it’s lovely to be appreciated in this way.”