2023-03-07 15:24:23
From sales to social care – how caring for a family member led to an unexpected career change
When Sonny Waugh’s wife became unwell last year and needed support with personal care, he instinctively stepped in to help. This uncovered a skill he didn’t know he had – care and support. Since then, Sonny has started an unexpected career in social care and is encouraging others to consider working in the sector.
Sonny, who works for national learning disability charity Hft at its St Austell service, first got involved in social care just six months ago, leaving behind a very different career in kitchen and bathroom sales.
The decision came after he suddenly became his wife’s carer, following an illness, and the pair realised just how suited he was to care and support work. His wife, Charlotte, encouraged Sonny to apply for a support worker role at Hft, feeling strongly that support work is all about someone’s ability to care and their personality – something she felt Sonny was ideally suited to.
Sonny has been working for the charity since and explains exactly what his role entails day to day:
“No two days are the same in my role. I am involved in personal care and hygiene, taking the people we support out for the day, dropping in for chats, ensuring safety and supporting people to make sure they have the best quality of life.
“For me, my job is all about the impact I have on someone’s life. I can be the person that provides that positive experience and really makes a difference. All I want is for the people we support, and everyone really, to be happy. Achieving this feels euphoric!”
He continues, “One of my favourite memories is when myself and the support worker I was shadowing at the time took a supported person out to the woods for the day. He was given so much choice about every aspect of the day and everything felt very comfortable and friendly. It didn’t even feel like a job – it was a great day out!”
Sonny openly admits that support work is not always easy but says, “there is something to learn from each difficult day to ensure we get better outcomes in the future. I like to end the day knowing I, and the wonderful team, have done the best that we can.”
Sonny’s passion for support work has evidently grown in the short time he’s been with Hft and he has already been in touch with former colleagues to get them to consider a career in social care.
He says, “I would absolutely encourage anyone to consider social care work. I have already been in touch with former colleagues and am trying to correct any preconceived ideas they might have about support work. There is so much more to it than simply providing personal care.
“The job is so different from what I expected but it’s so varied. Getting out and about, and supporting people to do what they want to live their best life possible is beyond rewarding.”
If you are interested in a career supporting people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible, visit hft.org.uk/jobs.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
