Dedicated Longlands’ care assistant Holly Underwood is earning and learning as she works towards her goal of becoming a nurse.
Holly, 19, first started working at Longlands as part of a college placement whilst studying Adult Health and Social Care at college.
She impressed so much she was offered a job when her placement finished and now she’s working 33 hours a week at Longlands Care Home.
“I absolutely love it because I like helping people,” said Holly. “You have the chance to meet new people and it’s lovely to get to know the residents and chat about their lives.”
Holly says the responsibility of being a care assistant is a lot more than some might think.
“It is not just about making cups of tea and chatting, there is a lot of responsibility in caring for people with dementia or in end of life care,” said Holly. “You have to be focussed, a good listener, compassionate and understanding.”
Holly’s role includes checking on the wellbeing of residents, ensuring they have taken their medication, helping them to wash, dress and keep mobile.
The companionship side of care is also important and Holly and her trolley became a regular feature of the recent heatwave as she handed out ice lollies and chatted with residents to ensure they kept hydrated.
Whilst working at Longlands Holly is also studying for a National Vocational Qualification level 3 and then hopes to go to University to do a nursing degree.
“Being a nurse is something I have always wanted to do and working at Longlands allows me the chance to earn whilst also gaining great experience,” she said.
