Jane Ward

Find out about what it’s like to be a self-employed carer in rural Perthshire and Kinross in this interview with experienced practitioner Jane Ward.

Please tell us about yourself ?

I have always been involved in care and support. Originally a nurse in critical care, then in elderly care which I loved. Ended up running a care home and then had a child at aged 43. At that point I decided not to go back to nursing but instead took jobs here and there that fitted into family life. I then became a personal assistant offering care and social support.

I then became an activity coordinator in a local care home. For me it was not sufficient to have the desire to enrich people's lives through an activity. I required a greater understanding and knowledge of the role. I completed a Provision of Activity role in a Care Setting actively seeking out any other courses which I felt would be of benefit. Music and movement, the arts, reminiscing, and storytelling to name a few. I spent five years in this role and then decided to become self-employed doing one-to-one social support. I also received funding to work with four groups of people: three in care and one community-based. All was going well delivering music movement and reminiscing sessions. then covid came along.

I then became a carer supporting a few clients, particularly people who have had a diagnosis of dementia and also providing end-of-life care. Although this was a difficult time, I enjoyed providing the support people required. I am once again focusing on the social aspect of support which is important for well-being. Providing trips out, music therapy and reminiscing to name a few.

It is a privilege and pleasure to support people this way. I love the role. I like being my own boss and planning with the person how best to support them at home. It seems to work really well.

What else do you like about being a self-employed carer?

I love listening to people. Sometimes you hear the same stories over and over again but there are always new stories to tell. People have lived such interesting lives and it is important that people are given the space to tell their stories and be listened to. They are allowed to remember things and share them.

One woman I support has such amazing stories of her life in Edinburgh. It’s about asking the right questions and listening. Giving people security, love and attention, a hug when they need it. Doing this in a professional way. Sometimes all people need is a hug and to spend time with people. To show them that they are still valid and still special.

Older people still generally have a young mind. They want to be able to do all the things they did when they were young and you can help them to do that. It’s a real priviledge.

You need to have an interest and empathy in people, learning about what makes them tick and how to best support them.

It enriches my life without any doubt. If you share things with people, it’s a much better world. There are so many lonely people out there who are crying out for attention and to be asked about their life.

It works both ways - you enrich each other’s lives.

It’s not just about physical care, it’s about the whole person.

I wish I became self-employed earlier. I’m really glad I did. I like being my own boss and providing care on my terms and working closely with them and the family.

What challenges do you have?

Sometimes there are people who are more difficult to support. It is about finding someone to talk to about the difficult times and finding a support network that you can go to.

You can go to them and say ‘what should I do’? And make a decision that works for you. You are the priority and I have had to step back sometimes.

At the moment I support one person a lot and that works well for us both

As I’m becoming older, I find the physically care difficult, it can be a struggle. I’ve decided to do more social support. I will go to the social prescribers and let them know that’s what I want to be doing. That’s what’s great about being self-employed – you can decide for yourself. The work is there. I think it is really suited to people who are in early retirement and want a bit of work. Or people who are younger and have a family and want work to work around that.

Do you have any tips for people thinking of becoming a self-employed carer or PA?

I wish I became self-employed earlier. I’m really glad I did. I like being my own boss and providing care on my terms and working closely with them and the family.

Because I can give the person I’m supporting my undivided attention. I’m not thinking ‘I’ve got 6 people waiting’. It’s great to be able to commit to somebody and give them the best support and come away feeling like I’ve achieved that.

When you are working for someone else or in a care home you are always on the clock and there is always someone else to support.

Self-employment you don’t get paid holiday or pension so maybe the pay could be better. If you have private clients and you are providing really good support you can up your hourly rate so that’s better.

There could be better guidelines around what people can charge as self-employed. Care Homes are much more expensive than having someone come to the house, it’s a better option for a lot of people, if the carers and Pas are available. You need to think about your value when working – including some money to put aside for pension and NI, travel time etc.

How did you find the people you have supported?

It’s all been word of mouth. I’ve never been out of work, sometimes I’ve had too much work.

During Covid I was doing end of life care. The families have all been wonderful. I’ve been able to help and support in different ways.

If I had known about this as an option when I was younger I think I would have gone for this. It is about offering the support and care at the standard that I would like to be cared for. How would you like to be cared for? How would you like to be support? If you deliver that standard of support to someone else then you can’t go wrong. If you take these values into consideration then you really can’t go wrong.

It's nice to be rewarded and for people to say you’ve done a good job, but I really enjoy it at the end of the day.

Is there anything else you would like to share with people wanting to find about self-employed caring options?

There is also the option of being a carer and living in with the person. Which can work if you live further away. You can also be a respite carer.

If you’re interested in becoming a self employed carer in Perth & Kinross find out what support is available to help you here.