Carer overcomes barriers to build career of her dreams

As the care sector staffing crisis continues, one Macclesfield carer is encouraging others to think twice about their options, whatever their reservations may be.
For Mel Oakes, a support worker who helps older people and those living with dementia, it was the uncertainty of what to do with her life that once presented a challenge when it came to forging her career.
But, following a chance invitation to assist a carer at Belong Macclesfield, she found the inspiration to build the career of her dreams.
Having left college with a hairdressing qualification, a young Mel found herself bouncing between a variety of jobs; namely, retail, cleaning and working in a chip shop, before landing a role in her late twenties in the on-site bistro at the Belong care village in Upton Priory.
Mel provides more detail: “I started off in the kitchens, helping to prepare the food for the residents, their families, and the visiting guests from the community. I enjoyed the work and providing for our customers, though I didn’t think working on the care side could ever be for me.
“However, after being asked to help a care colleague one shift, I absolutely loved it and little did I know it would be the first day of a fulfilling career in care. I felt I had even more of a purpose going to work and I was determined to make becoming a carer happen.”
Since that pivotal day, Mel jumped at all the opportunities to help the care team, before finally taking the plunge and successfully applying to become a support worker.
Caroline Ray, general manager at Belong Macclesfield, said: “Though she didn’t hold any previous qualifications, Mel’s work ethic made her the perfect candidate for ‘The Care Certificate’ which forms part of a carer’s robust induction programme. It’s on-the-job training which certifies new starters in the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected for the high standards of the role, whilst also building their confidence.”
Despite initially not thinking care was for her, Mel has since progressed through the ranks to a lead senior support worker position, overseeing a care team in one of the care village’s ‘household’ cohorts of residents. She is currently working toward her NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care, which she hopes to complete in the next few months.
Mel adds: “I never thought I'd do another qualification after my youth but Belong provides lots of help and guidance for its colleagues to achieve, and being able to help older people enjoy a high quality of life and independence makes it all worth it; the future’s very bright for me.”

Pictured: Mel Oakes and resident Jean Collins, Belong Macclesfield