From One Island To Another – A Move Across The World To Progress With Caring Homes: By Nigel Thomas
My name is Nigel Thomas, and I am from the beautiful Island of Saint Lucia.
Back home, I worked as an orderly / carer at the Owen King European Union Hospital. It’s a large, modern hospital and I looked after patients of all ages with various health issues, always doing my utmost to make them feel comfortable.
A Dream Becomes a Reality
It had always been a long-term dream of mine to work in the UK to develop my career in the healthcare sector, and I regularly checked the Travel and Leisure Centre page on Facebook, which lists job vacancies. I was excited to see an opportunity to join Caring Homes and applied immediately. After an online and face to face interview, I was contacted with feedback and told that I’d been successful! I started making plans for my relocation.
It was a long flight to the UK from Saint Lucia but when I arrived at Homefield Grange, I had a very warm welcome from the management team and staff. They showed me various areas within the home and went through what my role as Healthcare Assistant would involve, assuring me they were here for me if I needed anything.
Opportunities to Learn in a New Environment
I’ve been at Homefield Grange for around 6 months, and I have learnt a lot about working in a care home, which is similar, but in many ways different to working in a hospital. The opportunity has given me the chance to gain experience in the field I’m very passionate about – working with the elderly and understanding the various illnesses and conditions that our residents live with. As part of my role, I have been taught about the different types of dementia, how we care for residents living with dementia and how I can help to make a difference.
I have already made some wonderful memories and friends at Homefield Grange. The management team is amazing, very supportive and encouraging, and I would love to continue working here. My ambition is to progress to Senior Healthcare Assistant in the future.
Peaceful Dorset – a Great Place to Live and Work
It is also wonderful living and working in Dorset. Although I miss the beautiful beaches, the sunshine, and my family back home, I actually lived in the city there which was noisy and hectic. Here, it is peaceful and quiet, and I also like the English weather! I’m enjoying working in a new environment meeting people from different countries and there are growth opportunities here with Caring Homes that wouldn’t have been open to me back in Saint Lucia. I am looking forward to seeing where the future takes me at Homefield Grange.
Welcome to Homefield Grange Care Home in Christchurch, Dorset
Homefield Grange is a beautiful, purpose-built home in Christchurch, offering residential, nursing, and dementia care in a modern setting. You’ll a find warm and inviting space for residents and visitors with exceptional amenities, including lounges, a cinema, a hair salon and a bistro.
The wonderful surroundings at Homefield Grange Care Home are matched by our team’s standard of care. We love to learn about those staying with us by getting to know them, so your loved one’s time here is tailored to their interests, preferences, and needs. We allow for as much independence as possible and residents choose how the care home is run.
