Deborah Watkins is a manager at Milkwood Care. She chose a career in care after caring for her Nan who had Parkinson’s. After this experience, she just knew she wanted to care and make a difference for people.
Her career in care started about 17 years ago, when she became an activities coordinator for people with challenging behaviour. However, as she was doing more and more activities, she got to help with elements of care and that’s when she realised her real passion.
Deborah undertook a level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care and began caring for residents. Following further training, she took the position as a senior carer. But wanted to progress again, so completed her level 5 NVQ and became a team leader before progressing to a deputy manager and then manager.
Her role as a manager still involves caring for residents, but it also carries additional responsibility as she oversees the home, the team and the wellbeing of everyone.
Deborah is proud to work in care because she enjoys making a real difference to people’s lives. She says the most rewarding aspects of her role is seeing happy residents and happy staff, making sure the home is safe and picking up the phone to families.
If somebody is considering a career in care, Deborah’s advice is to do it. She thinks people sometimes step back because they don’t think they can progress but emphasises that there is so much progression in care and people shouldn’t think ‘I’m just a carer’, because they are more than that, they are changing people’s lives.