What's it like to be a support worker?
The role of a support worker is varied, challenging and rewarding, and one where no two days are ever the same.
Support workers are at the heart of everything we do at Lifeways. They provide the very best support, encourage people to pursue their dreams, live independently and achieve their personal goals.
Each person we support has differing needs, which means that each support worker’s responsibilities are never precisely the same.
What do support workers at Lifeways do?
Our support workers assist people who need help with daily living activities and personal care, helping them to live more independently and improve their quality of life.
Their role involves supporting people who have a variety of conditions, including those with learning difficulties, autism, complex behavioural needs, mental health conditions, or other challenges, to help them live more independently.
Our support team work in various locations, including within residential care services, supported living accommodation, and community settings.
Hear from our support workers
We’re very fortunate to have so many passionate, caring and dedicated support workers at Lifeways.
What being a support worker is like for Allison
Allison retired from a 20-year career in sales at 55 years old, after working her way up to an area sales manager role. But she wasn’t ready to finish working completely. Wanting to make a difference in people’s lives, she joined Lifeways as a support worker and has never looked back.
“I wish I’d done it 20 years ago,” Allison said. “It’s brilliant. You get chances to do things you’ve never done before.”
Allison didn’t have any formal care qualifications when she started, but quickly found that her people skills learned from years in sales were invaluable. “Everybody’s individual,” she explained. “You train yourself around the people you’re supporting, because they train you how they want to be supported.”
For Allison, some of the most rewarding moments are the small milestones.
“One day, someone might make their bed for the first time, or make themselves a sandwich. It might have taken two years, but they did it. Tiny, tiny little things like getting dressed in the morning, or being independent in the shower. That’s the challenge for me, and when I come out the other side holding their hand, it’s amazing.”
Whilst the responsibilities of a support worker will vary from day to day, the primary focus never changes. They provide support in every aspect of a person's life, including their mental health, to ensure that each person is living a happy and fulfilled life doing the things that they love the most.
Since joining Lifeways, Allison has continued to learn new skills every day. “I thought I was done learning when I left school and college. I even thought passing my driving test was my last exam. But it isn’t. Here, you learn something new every single day”.
You can hear Allison’s story of switching careers into support work here.
Geoff’s experience working as a care support worker
Geoff is another member of our team who joined Lifeways 13 years ago and works alongside his mum and sister. "It's a proper family affair - I met my wife here!" he said. Geoff’s autistic son is one of the reasons he chose to work within the care sector, with a drive to learn as much as he could to support him.
As a team leader, Geoff also provides support to colleagues. His days are varied, from supporting people to go out in the community to mentoring colleagues on support planning. "What gets me up on a cold and wet morning is the people I support and my team. I love doing this job and I can’t see myself doing anything else,” he said.
Read more about Geoff’s story and why he loves working as a Team Leader..
How Liam started a career in social care
Liam joined the Lifeways group in 2009 after deciding he wanted a career that made a real difference. Liam was working as a receptionist at a car dealership, but hearing his sister-in-law and mother-in-law talk passionately about their work in care inspired him to make a change. When Liam saw an advert for a support worker role in Rotherham, he applied and hasn’t looked back. “I absolutely love this job. It’s become a way of life.”
Since joining Lifeways, Liam has completed extensive training, including manual handling, risk assessments, fire safety, nutrition, medication, restraint training, and first aid. “ It makes a huge difference being properly trained and the knowledge has really boosted my confidence. That confidence gave me the drive to apply for a team leader position when one became available.”
With support and encouragement from his managers, Liam is now on secondment as a support manager. “I’m really enjoying it, and we’ll see where it leads.”
Liam’s advice to anyone considering a career in care?
“If you can make the leap, take a chance and do it! Helping people lead an independent life is the most empowering thing I have ever done.”
Read more about Liam’s story, and how support work allows him to have a balanced work and family life.
What does a support worker do?
Support workers aren’t just an essential part of people’s lives at home, but also when they’re out and about in their local community.
Many of our support workers love the variety that the job brings - one day you might be taking a group out bowling, you might be helping someone enjoy a spot of gardening, or you could be supporting a person with cleaning, medication or cooking a new recipe for dinner.
“What I enjoy doing with the guys is very much what I enjoy doing at home by myself or with my friends. I love cooking with them, going to the pub to watch football, and then going home to watch a film together. It’s really rewarding,” said one of our support workers.
Why you should work as a support worker at Lifeways
At Lifeways, we match people to support workers with similar interests, ensuring that both parties get the most from their days spent together. But it’s not just shared interests that bond our support workers to the people they support. Our support workers are there throughout their lives - through every up and down, challenge and accomplishment, becoming an integral part in the lives of those we care for.
Being involved in life’s special moments…
Perhaps one of the most extraordinary stories we’ve seen from one of our support workers comes from our Reiver House residential service in Leyland.
Paul hadn’t seen his family since before the pandemic hit, and so his support team organised a trip from Lancashire to the island of Islay to reunite Paul with his family. After several car, train and plane journeys, Paul was finally met by his step-dad Peter, who’s in his eighties, at Islay’s tiny airport.
It’s special moments such as these that our support workers not only help with but also experience first-hand.
“Paul’s dad just ran towards him,” recalled Elizabeth, Paul’s support worker. “Paul wrapped his arms around his dad, and it was just amazing. And I knew then that I had made a difference in both of these people's lives for the better. It was lovely.”
For more heartwarming content, read more about how Paul,who we support, reunited with his adoptive family after three years!
Why become a support worker?
Becoming a support worker is a fulfilling career choice for those who want to make a positive impact on people's lives and build meaningful relationships. It’s a role that offers job satisfaction, a sense of purpose, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, while also providing a secure career path.
At Lifeways, ambitions and goals are achieved through the hard work of our dedicated and passionate teams. In return, we offer an extensive and competitive benefits and reward packages. Find out more about this on our careers page.
How do I become a support worker?
Becoming a support worker doesn’t require any specific qualifications, although experience in the care sector is always helpful. Training and qualifications are offered to our employees, and progression opportunities are encouraged.
Personal qualities like empathy and communication are essential attributes for anyone looking to begin a career as a support worker. Support workers need a diverse range of skills to support people effectively, including strong communication and interpersonal skills, empathy, patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Support worker roles near you
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can become a support worker, you can find out more information on the role and apply online within our careers section.