Think you need experience in care to join our team? Think again! For us, it's all about kindness and a willingness to learn.
Darren from Hampshire joined us from the finance industry, after the birth of his children. Looking to add meaning to his career, Darren was introduced to the role of a Support Worker...and hasn't looked back since.
How did you come to join Macintyre and what were your first impressions?
"At the time I was working in an investment bank. During the birth of my premature children, I was made aware of a different side of life; a life that did not revolve around the bank.
When I returned to the bank after my children were able to come home, nothing felt the same. As each month passed, I grew more and more unhappy in my role.
By chance one day, during a birthday party, my children attended; I got talking to another dad there. He told me that he too was unhappy with his role as an estate agent and was looking for something new. I thought no more about it, until a month or so later when at another birthday party, I bumped into the same dad. He told me that he had given his notice in and that he was going to support people with learning disabilities.
A month or so later after this, I bumped into him again at another party. This time, we sat for a good hour talking about how he was getting on in his new role as a Support Worker. I remember explaining to him that I couldn't possibly do his job, as I wouldn't want to offend anyone with a learning disability, as I had had no prior experience.
He carried on talking about what he had been doing at MacIntyre and I remember him saying that he takes a group of people to a park to play football. This really intrigued me, as I thought to myself, I knew I could manage a group of people on my own (I did have triplets after all), and that maybe this was just the thing I should be doing.
The next day at lunch, I went into the park opposite the bank and rang the office. I spoke to a lovely woman, who put me at ease by telling me all about Macintyre and asking me to come and see her the following morning.
The next day I travelled to the office not knowing what to expect. I remember that everyone was so kind to me. They accepted that I had had no prior experience and I was told I had the right personality. After a day or so of mulling everything over, I decided to take the plunge and hand my notice in at the bank and the rest is history."
What would you say are some of your fondest memories/best experiences of your time with MacIntyre?
My first fondest memory was the very first week I started at MacIntyre. I was shadowing the gentleman whom I had met previously and had introduced me to MacIntyre. We were out and about picking up a group of people we would be supporting and I was rather nervous about doing something or saying something that may cause offence.
"We parked the car up and we all got out, but suddenly I felt an arm take mine. I turned around to see that one of the gentlemen we support had lightly gripped onto my arm and was smiling this incredible broad smile. Then quick as a flash, he stopped and started to hug me. This is probably the fondest memory I have whilst working with MacIntyre, which will stay with me for the rest of my life."
What is the best thing about working for MacIntyre?
"The best thing about working for MacIntyre is without a doubt the people. Each week I learn something new that I can I take with me and use to become a better person, both personally and at work. I consider myself very lucky and indeed very privileged to be able to do this job and work with such lovely people."
