Jackie McCarrick started her career in home care but chose to switch to residential care as she wanted to spend more time with the people she supports.
She explains: “With home care you spend the day driving to people’s homes but in many cases, you are only supposed to be there for a short period of time.
“That wasn’t always enough, and I never liked to leave until I knew the person I was caring for was happy and content.
“So, I decided to go into residential care which meant I didn’t have to worry about time, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Jackie, 55, from Middlesbrough, has worked at Roseleigh for almost 15 years. As a Senior Care Assistant, she performs all the regular carer responsibilities in the home but is also responsible for dispensing medication and liaising with GPs and social workers.
She says: “Roseleigh is a very friendly home with a nice atmosphere for staff and residents and we are like one big happy family.”
Speaking of her experience of working at Roseleigh during the Covid-19 pandemic, Jackie says: “It was really hard for everyone at first, but we got on with our job and tried to make life as comfortable as possible for the residents.”
When she’s not at Roseleigh, Jackie enjoys spending time with her three children and four grandchildren.
She adds: “During the lock-down it was difficult seeing them just via a video call, so it’s lovely to now be able to be with them properly again.
“It’s the same for the residents at Roseleigh as well because we recently started family visits in the garden and that has been a great thing for everyone.”