Katie is a mother of four from Lincoln who started volunteering for Carers First in April 2022 as part of a student placement during her health and social care degree at the University in Lincoln. She now works for Carers First full time as a Community Inclusion Coordinator.
She graduated last year with a First Class Honours, which led to Katie winning the British Education Award for the UK degree category. The BEA identifies and celebrates individuals who have excelled within the British education system.
During her studies, Katie gained practical experience through a volunteer placement at Carers First in April 2022.
This opportunity led to a part-time role with the organisation, which she managed alongside her studies and family commitments. She has since transitioned into a permanent position as a Community Inclusion Coordinator.
She said: “I was absolutely in awe of the care and support that the organisation provides to unpaid carers. As part of my placement, I gained a lot of knowledge into unpaid carers and the challenges they face on a daily basis, as well as the support and advice available to the unpaid carer.”
Katie’s volunteering involved making check in and chat calls to unpaid carers to check on the carer’s wellbeing and to identify if the carer needed any further support with their caring role.
Katie said: “The unpaid carers are always grateful for the calls. As a volunteer I also attended local community groups and events in Lincolnshire, which is enjoyable and rewarding.
She added: “The most rewarding aspect of volunteering is making a positive difference to unpaid carers, this can be through offering advice, support, signposting, or simply by listening to and chatting to carers.”
Katie pursued a career change in the health and social care sector because she wanted a rewarding and fulfilling job role.
She said: “Carers First gave me this opportunity, and I would like to think that my empathetic and caring nature goes a long way towards supporting unpaid carers, and that my motivation and passion to help others makes a positive difference to Carers First also.”
Katie recommends volunteering for Carers First because “it is both rewarding and enjoyable, the staff are extremely supportive, and volunteering offers many opportunities to a person, you gain valuable experience and knowledge, whilst also making a positive difference to unpaid carers.”
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