Ben | Finding the right career by giving it a go

Ben | Finding the right career by giving it a go

When I finished school, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to follow. I chose to study Social Care at college because it offered a range of opportunities and would keep my options open.

As part of the course, we were required to complete some volunteering. At the time, I hadn't decided where to volunteer until Angela from Camphill Blair Drummond came to speak to our class. After hearing about the community and the activities on offer, I thought it sounded like a great place to gain experience.

I contacted the community and was offered a year-long student placement in one of the activity workshops. I spent a year getting to know the people we support and becoming part of the wider community. Towards the end of my placement, I was told I would be taking part in a mock interview to help prepare me for future opportunities. However, due to time constraints, I ended up joining a real interview for a relief support worker position instead.

I went into the interview expecting it to be purely practice. That changed when I received a phone call afterwards: they were so impressed with my interview that they offered me the job. It came as a surprise, but I had enjoyed my time in the community so much that accepting the offer was an easy decision. After all, not many jobs give you the chance to watch movies with people and get paid for it!

I started as a relief support worker and soon had the opportunity to work full-time hours. A permanent position became available shortly afterwards, so I applied and was delighted to secure the role, although my start date was delayed by the COVID-19 lockdown.

Since joining the community, I have learned that while the work can be challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding. One of the things I value is the genuine connection you can build with the people we support. When they are happy to see you, they show it without hesitation.

Some individuals who may be described as quiet or withdrawn can surprise you by opening up and revealing a side of themselves that others may never have seen. Being part of those moments makes you feel valued and reminds you why the work matters.

Ultimately, it is the people we support who keep us motivated and coming back each day. Even when we're off work, there are members of the community we find ourselves thinking about because they have become such an important part of our lives.

I think it's important for people to understand that social care can be demanding, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Every day, you have the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone's life, helping them grow, achieve their goals, and enjoy a better quality of life. That is what makes the work so worthwhile.