Longlands Deputy Manager Nikki O’Rourke was inspired by her mum to choose a career in care, and she has certainly made the most of it.
Nikki joined her mum at another care home in Middlesbrough and worked at it for almost ten years, becoming a Senior Care and achieving her Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care in the process.
She moved to Longlands in 2016 and in 2019 was promoted to the position of Deputy Manager, having continued her studies, and achieved her Team Leader and Management qualification.
Now working towards her Level 5 in Health and Social Care (equivalent to the second year of a university degree course) this role provides her with the best of both worlds as it combines office/managerial work with caring.
She explains: “Unless Tina, the Manager at Longlands, is on holiday, I spend two days a week in the office and two days on the floor providing care, which suits me down to the ground.
“I have always loved being a carer so still being able to spend time and help the residents whilst supporting Tina in the office is great.”
Whilst she worked in another care home for almost a decade, Nikki says it doesn’t hold a candle to Longlands.
She says: “As soon as I entered the home, I already knew it was going to be so much better.
“It has a lovely atmosphere and that’s because of the staff and residents; everyone is so happy and even during the hardest times we have faced through Covid-19, we have all kept going and been there for each other.
“It’s a very unique home.”
Outside or work, Nikki, 32, enjoys spending time with her husband and their eight children, and two grandchildren.
She adds: “It’s all about family time, which is not surprising given the size of my family!”
