'I'm always thinking about them when I go home,' says care worker

A care worker has been praised for dedicating 15 years to looking after older people.

Marie Conway works at Bield’s Coxton Gardens in Glasgow and is passionate about "making a difference".

The 45-year-old said: “I helped look after my gran when I was younger, so I suppose it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I once took my mum, who has dementia, out to the shops and seeing her light up about something as simple as buying lipstick with her own money really showed me the difference that this type of work can make."

Ms Conway originally joined Bield after undertaking a social care course, being drawn to the care industry because of experiences in her own personal life.

“However, my start in the care industry was very sudden," she said. "I remember someone coming to my door to promote the local college. It just so happened that the social care course was starting the next day. It all happened so quickly.”

Ms Conway started working for Bield in 2003 as a home support, before moving onto her current role following training and support from staff.

She added: “When the time came for me to start a new role, I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I wanted to stay where I was, so I applied for the care assistant role when the opportunity came up.

“I was nervous about all the training I would need as it was a more hands on role and I needed medication training among other things, but my manager was really supportive and told me to ‘go for it’."

Her day-to-day duties include general care and medication care, keeping tenants as independent as possible and spending quality time with them.

And while seeing tenants happy and laughing is the most rewarding part of her job, she revealed that looking after those with dementia can, at times, be challenging.

She said: "There are many different types of dementia, so everyone's care is different. We need to adapt to every individual's needs to make sure they get the best care possible."

Looking back, Ms Conway wouldn't change a thing about her chosen career path.

"It doesn’t quite feel like 15 years at all!" she said. "I originally started the job because I wanted to make a difference, and the work I still do is very rewarding.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Bield so far, especially because of the bonds I have made with staff and tenants. They really do make it hard to leave work after a shift because I’m always thinking about them when I go home. We are like one big family.”

Bield has been providing housing and related services in Scotland for more than 40 years. Ms Conway was acknowledged for her years of service at the company’s AGM on 20 September in Edinburgh.

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