Last updated 11:33, Friday, 09 May 2008

Meet Gary Tweddle, a support worker in the care industry

SUPPORTING ROLE: For Gary Tweddle, a career as a support worker for Hensingham Day Service was one he had always dreamt of pursuing. But the journey to get to his dream profession was not so straightforward. “I saw some action in the Gulf during my time in the TA,” Gary explained. “For six months I was based in Basra back in 2003. Whilst I was there I spent time in a field hospital working with prisoners of war who had been hospitalised there. I saw a lot of things in that field hospital and it was then that I made the decision to come home and work with adults with learning disabilities.’

WORKING in the care industry can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers around, even more so when working with those who are disabled or have learning disabilities.

For Gary Tweddle, a support worker for Hensingham Day Service, it was a career he had always dreamt of pursuing.

But the journey to get to his dream profession was not so straightforward.

After leaving Workington’s Moorclose School, Gary began working at the town’s sports centre as a pool attendant and general assistant.

Soon afterwards he decided to apply for the Territorial Army in pursuit of a more sustainable career.

For 25 years Gary progressed in the TA with most of his time spent in the engineers and a shorter period based in logistics.

“I saw some action in the Gulf during my time in the TA,” Gary explained. “For six months I was based in Basra back in 2003.

“While I was there I spent time in a field hospital working with prisoners of war who had been hospitalised there. I saw a lot of things in that field hospital and it was then that I made the decision to come home and work with adults with learning disabilities. It was always in the back of my mind to work in care but the opportunity had never come around.

“That one experience really gave me the push I needed. So in 2005 I applied to Hensingham Day Service and they must have been looking for more male employees as I was taken on and began as a support worker.

“At first the training I undertook was mostly in-house and I received plenty of support from the management and staff.

“But I knew the obvious thing to do was gain a qualification in care. So in August last year I enrolled at Lakes College on the NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care course, which I completed in five months.

“Even though it’s more managerially focussed I would still consider continuing on to take the Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

“I love my time spent working here; all the people I work with are lovely people with fantastic personalities, I think that’s part of the reason why I wanted to specifically care for adults with learning disabilities.

“No two days are the same; the role is so varied I could never tire of it. The care I give is very broad and ranges from personal care to community participation with trips to the swimming pool or horse riding.

“My wife is a nurse, so having this job has also helped to take the pressure off her when it came to looking after the children.”

Gary, 44, finds it a unique experience being a male in the care sector and maintains there needs to be more men attracted into the profession.

He continued: “My course at college was taken predominantly by women but a lot of them were in the same position as me and had left one long-term profession to follow a career in care. So it was reassuring to meet people in similar circumstances as myself.

“There are only two other male employees who work at Hensingham Day Services so it’s obvious there is a significant lack of male support and care workers.

“It’s a shame, really, as there is huge job satisfaction that comes with caring for people of any age and ability.

“I couldn’t say that I wished I had gone into the care sector a lot earlier than I did as I know, without a doubt, my previous experience in the TA has helped me no end. It prepared me for dealing with people and all sorts of circumstances so I think a role such as mine could only be pursued when you feel the time is right.

“To really enjoy the job you have to have a naturally ability to care; being enthusiastic and passionate are also musts as my role is to not only care for people but make their lives a little bit more interesting.”

See next month’s edition of Futures for more news on men in the caring profession.