Meet Lynne O’Brien, Ex Carer, Now Service Support Adminstrator

My career in caring started when I worked as a chaperone for adults with intellectual disabilities. I loved that job and recognised that I needed qualifications to work in care. Eventually I ended up working with older people. I love older people and their stories.

I went on and became employed as a carer in a retirement home for priests. As part of that job, I was training a carer from Private HomeCare. When my hours were reduced due to care packages coming in, I decided to apply to work here. Then I ended up coming back to work for my old employer, as a Private HomeCare carer!

Later on, I started doing house calls.

In 2014 I did a fulltime one-year FETAC Level 5 course as a Health Care Assistant. I joined Private HomeCare in 2017. Since then, I have completed two more courses; during Covid I studied Level 5 Addiction Studies; then I did a Level 6 Higher Diploma in Social Studies which took two years. I loved working as a carer as I could work around my own schedule. I found it very fulfilling work too. Clients have different things going on. Some might not be coping well, other might not have a large family to support them. Carers make such a difference, sometimes to the clients and sometimes to the family carer who gets a break when we go in. They trust us.

As I got older, I wanted less hands-on work but wanted to stay in care.  So in 2022, I did a one year Level 5 fulltime course in Business and Medical Administration to prepare for a change. I applied to join the office team as a Service Support Adminstrator and started in this role just last month.

When I worked as a carer, I had regular clients so didn’t need to engage with the office that much. As a result, I didn’t know the team here very well. I have a connection with the company though, having worked with them for several years so I preferred to stay with them than look for another job. I expected my office role to be hectic, and it is!

I used to study for 5 days and work 7 evenings a week, so working 5 days a week is a bit better!

I dropped out of school at 15 because I hated it. When I went back to studying in 2014, I realised I love learning, especially about things that interest me. I love the care industry and am delighted to have built my career in it.