A Day in the Life of a Resident Support Worker

Pam Copson, from Humber Court in Coventry, tells us about her day-to-day life as a Resident Support Worker.

“I have been working in the care industry for over 20 years, and I have spent 13 of those years at Humber Court. I have always been a caring person so I enjoy looking after people. I used to look after my mum when she was poorly and the more I did that, the more I realised what I could do to help people and that’s why I decided to become a carer.

I work 5 days a week from 7.30am to 2pm and I work to a daily care plan. My day begins with some general care calls. These include a variety of duties, from assisting the residents to get washed and dressed, making their breakfast and drinks, and ensuring they take their medication to helping them out with general housekeeping such as opening the curtains, making the bed and emptying the bins.

If I have time during calls and I’ve done everything I need to do then I’ll sit next to the resident and have a chat with them because that is my time to give, and they enjoy the comfort and company. For one lady that I visit, I take her dinner to her apartment and I have 30 minutes to sit with her, assist her with her dinner and have a chat with her.

The residents have a care plan, where they have discussed their wants and needs with their families and the Team Leaders here. We come in knowing exactly what they like and dislike and we do everything to meet their needs.

I see different residents every day, which allows us all to have a bit of variety. It’s nice for the residents because they know all the carers so this helps them to feel at ease. They’re happy to see us and we’re happy to see them. Being a carer is about making the residents content, making them comfortable, and making sure all their wants and needs are met, and that’s what I aim to do in my role.

A couple of years ago, I went on a canal trip with the residents, our Manager and another Resident Support Worker. We had fish and chips, and hot drinks and it was a really nice day. I really enjoyed that and so did our residents, it made their day.

We’re like one big family here, everybody is just so nice and easy to get on with! I love coming into work. I really enjoy spending time with the residents, they’re all lovely. I love the staff team I work with. There’s a great atmosphere and team spirit and we all get on really well which is why I’ve stuck like glue here!

I never don’t want to come into work, I always see it as a positive thing.’

Would you like to work as a carer for The ExtraCare Charitable Trust? We have a whole host of job opportunities available in this sector – the perfect job could be waiting for you.