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GEETHA SHANKAR
Geetha Shankar and Adnan Malik speak eight languages between them, and their skills are bringing a special kind of continuity of care to some of the clients at DCP.
Former teacher Geetha Shankar joined DCP as a team leader, and speaks Hindi and Urdu as well as English. Malik joined the organization as a support worker and speaks eight languages.
“Some of the older people we look after come from black and minority ethnic groups and don’t speak English at all,” explains Geetha, who worked in a voluntary role with people who experienced mental illness before joining the DCP. “Very often clients will have had care which included someone who could speak their language so it’s very important to be able to offer continuity.”
Geetha heads a team of between seven and eight support workers in the DCP’s home support service and has the responsibility of helping 25 service users to live as independently as possible. “Of the people in my care I need to use different languages with at least nine of them,” she adds.
Support worker Malik says the number of languages he speaks is really helpful in assisting Geetha in recruiting and training people from the black and minority ethnic communities. Communication is everything. When people are able to talk to you in their own language the barriers come tumbling down and it’s like meeting an old friend, it makes them feel at home.”
JENNIFER BROWN
Jennifer Brown changed career at the age of 48 from librarian to caring for older people. She started with DCP 12 years ago when the organisation was in its infancy.
“Libraries had become very technical and I’m a people person,” explains Jennifer who took advantage of the training offered by DCP and has risen through the ranks from support worker to team leader. “I was given the opportunity to train in my mid-50s and have achieved NVQ Management Level 4.
Jennifer has overall responsibility for 36 clients of DCP who are supported and cared for in their homes by her group of 12 support workers.
Jennifer’s five top tips to anyone thinking of becoming a support worker:
1] People with dementia are very aware of other people’s attitude and support workers have to be prepared to become attached to them and to give them dignity and hope.
2] You have to be a caring person and willing to set yourself aside quite often. By that I mean don’t allow the person’s illness to upset you, but to make allowances and see the person beyond the illness.
3] You have to put the client first and yourself second quite a lot, not forgetting that you are equally valued as a person in your own right.
4] Take advantage of the support from within the organisation.
5] Be willing to be trained.
HELEN BELL
Helen Bell has cared for people with mental health problems for more than a decade with DCP.
“Home support is a real alternative to residential care,” explains Helen. “DCP also provides essential help and relief to the carers who can relax knowing that their relative is in the care of an experienced worker.”
“I worked in the community, and learnt to care and support people with dementia in a different way. I helped out as a support worker caring for people with dementia in their own homes, encouraging them to live an independent life”.
“The quality of care DCP gives to its clients is something I would want for my own family should the need ever arise.”
Helen was a support worker for nine years and took the opportunity for promotion to her current job as home support coordinator two years ago. She is currently studying for her Management NVQ Level 4.
Part of Helen’s job was helping people to move into their new homes which are part of DCP’s independent supported-living scheme. There are currently 8 of these houses across Newcastle offering 27 tenancies, plus an additional five purpose-built bungalows in the north of the city offering 20 tenancies.
“The job is challenging, exciting, and no two days are ever the same. It was a great feeling when the organisation recognised my abilities and supported me both personally, and through training.
“Working for Dementia Care Partnership has to be my dream job because it is making a huge difference. People are being given a service that is one-to-one in their own homes. I think being able to give a first-class, quality service is the prime reason I have stayed in this job for so long.”
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