About Social Care

Ali McIntosh is a professional carer and has been a carer with us since July 2020. She works with vulnerable people of all ages in their own homes. Her tasks include providing personal care, moving and assisting, and helping with meals and medication. Ali also supports a young lady on social visits in the community. 

In February 2005 Ali fell down a flight of stairs and sustained a massive bleed on the brain. She was taken to Hope hospital in Manchester and placed in an induced coma for two months. 

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Ali had an operation to remove a significant amount of her frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for cognitive functions such as memory, emotion, impulse control and social interaction and motor function. During extensive brain surgery, Ali had a frontal lobectomy and craniotomy. She also had a metal plate inserted in her head.

After the operation, Ali spent three months in hospital rehabilitating and relearning skills. Just six months after the fall Ali resumed her role with the NHS, where she had previously worked for 18 years as a retinopathy screener. 

Unfortunately, she was suffering from epilepsy due to her brain injury, and Ali was no longer confident with her role at the NHS. She worried that, working as a retinopathy screener, she might miss important signs and so it was agreed she would leave.
 
After five years of being seizure-free, Ali’s driving licence was returned to her and with that came increased freedom. It was after this that Ali came to the Rochdale branch to discuss having a go at working a few hours each week. 

That was two years ago, and since then Ali has increased her hours. She always does a fantastic job and the whole branch team has daily contact with Ali. If she has any concerns or thoughts Ali always calls the branch to talk them through. 

This has by no means been a smooth road for Ali, but she gives 100% in everything she does. She understands that sometimes she may say something inappropriate but she is never rude or insulting. Ali has a heart of gold and has come on so much in the past two years. 

Having a brain injury does not stop Ali from doing what she loves.


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Ali comes back from brain injury to enjoy a career in care

**23 years of making a difference, and Sandra keeps on caring**

March marked 23 years working in care for Sandra, and she’s certainly been busy! Sandra works for Cera Care in Warrington as a Care Assistant, she’s in high demand and always out taking care of the people who depend on her.

“It’s not all sit down and have a cup of tea,” says Sandra, speaking from those 23 years of care experience, “it’s hard work!”

Sandra started her career in care along with a friend and now, over two decades later, she’s still having fun in her role and with the people she cares for: 

“My favourite thing about this job is listening to their stories, and trying my best to make them smile.”

Smiling must be the best way to pass time because the 23 has obviously flown by for Sandra: “I can’t believe I’ve been here that long, it doesn’t feel like a job.”

With a laugh, Sandra shares some snippets of her 23 years of expertise and wisdom: “Find out where the clean toilets are, and never use the client’s towel.”

You get the feeling whenever you talk to seasoned carers like Sandra that a sense of humour is a vital part of what makes a good carer. Sandra backs this up with her own summary of what qualities a carer needs: “Lots of patience, broad shoulders - always a smile and a sense of humour.”

They’re very human qualities, reflecting the nature of the job. Caring isn’t a turn up for work and be counted type of job, it’s going to work and making a genuine difference. 
What does Sandra think her work does for the people she works for? 
“It means they can live in their own home” says Sandra. 

**A life at home,  a life less lonely, a life improved.**

A simple, and yet invaluable benefit that even a new carer can help provide to somebody, let alone someone with the vast experience of Sandra. 


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23 years in Social Care : Sandra's Story

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**Macie had all the right qualities to be a Professional Care Assistant when she joined us from her previous role as a waitress. She now says her service users have become a part of her family. See why she thinks it was the best decision to apply for a job with Cera.**

"Caring is an amazing, wonderful job to be in"

Macie's Story

**A career for life! Michelle has worked in care since she was 18. See how she fits her dream job around her lifestyle.**

Michelle's Story

More about working in care

Ali comes back from brain injury to enjoy a career in care

23 years in Social Care : Sandra's Story

Macie's Story

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