Meet our Support Workers: Q&A with Katherine
A closer look at the people behind the care: Meet Katherine
This month, we spoke with Katherine, a support worker who trained as a professional nurse in Nigeria and has spent over two decades caring for people in the health sector. She now works across care homes in the Lymington and Southampton areas, supporting mostly elderly residents with personal, physical and emotional care. As Katherine is our Support Worker of the Month for August, we asked her about the family experiences that shaped her into a carer, how she handles the tougher days, and what she’d say to anyone thinking about joining the profession.
How did you first get into support work?
I trained as a professional nurse in Nigeria, and for over two decades I was in the health sector giving holistic care to my patients. When I came to the UK, I started with support and home care work, which is still very much in line with what I trained to do.
Caring is part of me. It’s natural, it flows in me apart from the training. Even from childhood I liked staying close to people who were sick, trying to put smiles on their faces and give them hope. That’s just who I am, and I know it’s what I want to do in the health sector until I die.
Can you share a moment or story that has stayed with you?
My grandmother was the first person I ever cared for. I was so close to her as a child, she used to sit us down and tell us fairy tales by moonlight. When she became ill, I was still in school, but I stayed close to her and gave her personal care. It took me a long time to recover when she passed, but I was so happy that I got to give her that care.
My mother was another big one for me. When she was admitted to the teaching hospital, I left my own home and practically lived at the hospital for about three months so I could care for her myself. My colleagues there were amazed at how I looked after her. Actually, it was my mother who encouraged me into nursing in the first place. I originally wanted to study law, but she saw the way I cared for people and told me I should go into nursing instead. I’m so glad I listened to her.
What do you enjoy most about being a Support Worker?
I naturally love caring for the elderly. Most of the people I support are helpless in some way and can’t manage everything themselves, and they’re very vulnerable. They need someone to care for them, show them love and make them happy.
A lot of them are lonely too. Their children have grown up and moved away, and their spouses have often passed. At that age, they need companionship as much as anything else, so I try to give them both physical and emotional support. Seeing them happy, and knowing I’ve helped them come through whatever they’re going through, that’s what makes my day.
What has been the biggest challenge in your role, and how do you handle it?
Sometimes a client can be difficult to please, especially if they’re unwell or in the later stages of an illness. They might not want personal care or won’t want to eat, even when you can see they need it. You just have to respect that they have a choice, step back, and come back to reassess them later when they’re more ready.
It takes a gentle touch and a lot of care to get there without pushing too hard. Sometimes I’ll dance with a client or sing songs with them, just to help them feel comfortable enough to accept the care I’m offering.
How do you look after yourself, given how emotionally demanding the job can be?
It’s hard, especially once you’ve grown close to someone and then they’re gone. I try to remind myself that everything in life is temporary, and I pray a lot. I take walks, get some exercise, and read my Bible for solace.
Whoever I go on to support next, I try to help them find happiness too. My own happiness comes from seeing the people I care for come through their difficulties. When I see that, it makes everything worth it.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a Support Worker?
Put yourself in that person’s position. That’s my golden rule. Ask how you’d want to be treated if you were them, and let that guide you. You need a heart of compassion, patience and understanding.
For me, that goes beyond personal care too. I go to my client’s apartment and tidy up as well, because it’s not just about caring for someone physically, I want everywhere around them to be nice too. You have to have that heart of compassion, and see beyond the financial gain. These are human beings who need our care, our trust and our love, so you have to give your best.
Honesty matters a lot to me too. I’d rather keep my integrity than manipulate a situation for my own gain. Punctuality is important as well. Let people know you for who you really are, so that when they think of you, they know exactly what to expect.
Do you have any feedback for the SNG Team?
Honestly, I hold SNG at the highest standard. I’ve worked with other companies before, but SNG is one of the few I’ve seen that genuinely cares about its staff and not just the financial side.
There was a day I was asked to cover a shift that ended up being really overwhelming, and I couldn’t get a proper break to eat or drink until I got home around six in the evening. When SNG found out, they weren’t happy at all, and within a couple of days they’d brought in extra staff to make sure it didn’t happen again. That told me everything about how seriously they take their carers’ wellbeing.
They’re also incredibly organised and proactive. Whenever I hear people struggling to find cover through other companies, I always tell them to just call SNG, because they never give up until someone’s placed. I’ve learned a lot from that mindset, and I’ll carry it with me wherever I go in the future.
Katherine also wanted to say a huge thank you for being named Support Worker of the Month for August. In her words: “To whom much is given, much is expected. This award isn’t going to make me relax, it’s going to push me to do even better.” She asked us to pass on her thanks to the board, her colleagues, and especially Karen for nominating her, along with Rebecca, Ashie, and Laura.
Thank you, Katherine, for your compassion, your patience and the honesty you bring to every single shift. We’re proud to have you on the team. 💙
Want to find out more about working with SNG Healthcare? Get in touch at www.snghealthcare.co.uk
