Employee in the Spotlight – Liz Wainwright, Team Leader

Posted about 3 years ago

14 years ago, Liz Wainwright joined Allied Healthcare’s Bangor branch as a Support Worker. She discusses her career progression and why she made the decision to start a career in care.

Liz decided to join the world of social care and started her career in the sector with Allied Healthcare and has never looked back.

Liz was the Manager of a charity shop and after working with shop volunteers, with learning disabilities, she decided that she wanted to do it as a full-time job.

She explained: “I didn’t feel I could progress anymore as a manager and looked to do something new. When I saw the Support Workers with the volunteers, I thought I could do that and so I did.”

As part of her role as Support Worker with the Allied Healthcare Bangor branch it was Liz’s responsibility to promote independence with the service users, help them to access and feel part of the community and accompany them to restaurants, GP appointments and shops.

Liz loved her role so much that she wanted to take on more responsibility, so she decided to complete a foundation degree in Health & Social Care which then progressed to BA Hons degree.

Liz commented: “I enjoyed my job so much that I wanted to progress and advance myself, so I decided to study whilst working. Whilst I was studying the branch was a great support. The team made sure they fitted my shifts around my university days.”

Whilst studying for her degree, Liz was promoted to Team Leader, which brought the added responsibility of ordering medication, updating care plans, completing supervision and appraisals, coaching staff and motivating the team.

Liz believes her degree has helped her step into the Team Leader role. “As part of my degree I studied Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Leadership & Management, which I have put into practice as a Team Leader. After studying my degree, I think I see things from a different point of view.

“In my current role I am still hands on with the service users; I believe this is really important to have those relationships with them.

“When you work in care you build a relationship with your service users. Some of our service users in Bangor have complex health needs and some are non-verbal, so it is important that you are able to be able to pick up on signs.”

Liz took the step to join social care from a different sector and she is encouraging others to do the same.

“A lot of people I speak to always say ‘I couldn’t do your job’, but I believe people can do the job. I think they will surprise themselves. It’s so rewarding and you make a difference every day. If anyone is thinking about becoming a Care Worker or Support Worker, I say just do it.”

If you’re looking for a change in career, take a look at our latest vacancies here.

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