Articles

Becoming a Live in Carer – My Story

01/07/2016

My name is Liz and I'm 64 years young. I've been caring since 2014 and loving the journey. It began some years ago back in New Zealand where I come from. I'm a kiwi, but both my parents are Scottish which was the means for me obtaining a British passport.

Prior to moving to the UK I was unemployed and living on benefits which didn't give me much freedom to do the things I wanted to do.  Travel was one of those things as I'd travelled to the UK and Europe in 2006 with my ex- husband and got the travel bug. Since then, my marriage ended and I'm now living independently. I'd met a woman in NZ who shared about her life as a carer and it interested me because it promised opportunity and new experiences. I looked into it and was encouraged, so I obtained the necessary documents to set me on my path.

I arrived in the UK as green as grass and nervous but excited in the UK one wet miserable morning in November 2014.

I caught the train to Tonbidge and duly did the 3-4 day full training required to be a carer. Of course, I'd already had some experience prior to this.

Soon I was posted to my first job. I was so nervous that I made a few mistakes and the client made comments about it. There seemed so much to learn and remember. I thought the client, a woman in her 90s was a bit grouchy, but she had her nice side and she would get me to take her out on drives in her little Mercedes car. I carried on for two weeks and must have made an impression because I was subsequently asked to go back and became one of her regular carers.

Next, I was sent to another woman who just wanted to spend her life in bed. It was quite a lonely experience because I didn't have contact with anyone and she was the only person I spoke with. It was out in the country with no public transport, but fortunately I enjoyed walking so made the most of a regular walk to the little ancient church nearby.

Those were some of my early experiences. Since then, I have been privileged to work with all manner of interesting people and see some amazing places. I've even had lunch with the Queen through being a carer for a gentleman. I got to be driven in a chauffeur driven car from London to Wales with a client. I bet few could boast of that experience. I've expanded my knowledge of the UK and history by talking with my clients and exploring new places. 

London is a favourite destination and I've worked there many times and have gotten to know the transport system. I have visited many iconic places and done the tourist thing. I've worked in many little out of the way villages and have always found something interesting about the history of each. One of the key things I've found is that it's important to connect well with my clients by just being myself.

If I exhibited a lack of confidence I found quite often they capitalise on that so I now put on my confident face all the time. It's who I am now and I've gained more and more confidence as I've gone along. Sure, caring has its downsides but overall it's a fantastic way of life, and best of all I get paid for the privilege.

Liz Olsen June 2016