Runs in the family

With an aunt and two sisters working as nurses, Salman Earnest was keeping it in the family when it comes to care and in our latest staff profile you can find out more about his own personal care journey.

Nursing runs in my family and I had always wanted a job where you are helping people and making a real difference to their lives,” said Salman.

He completed a nursing degree in Pakistan but found the low wages meant he had to also take on other jobs.

“An aunt in the UK spotted an advert for carers for Caremark Cheltenham and Tewksbury and I applied successfully,” he said.

The immigration process was very well organised, Caremark explained everything clearly and I arrived in the UK three years ago and have been working as a carer ever since.”

Salman, 31, said he had heard some “horror stories” from people working for other companies in the care sector but he has settled well thanks to the support from Caremark.

“Caremark are a good company to work for, they are supportive, the wages are good and are clearly set and there are flexible hours so if you need time of for whatever reason they try to help,” he said.

“You can also build up holiday so in spring I will be taking three weeks to return to Pakistan to visit family.”

Salman has been able to use many of his nursing skills working in home care support and has also broadened his care sector experience.

He adds: “Going into people’s home to deliver care was new for me, that social connection is very important, and the customers enjoy a bit of banter – usually the first topic is the weather.”

“Patience is very important, spending time getting to know the customer. Until you do that you don’t really understand how they are feeling, their pain from illness or loss of mobility.”

Salman is keen on bikes and cars and outside of work likes to visit showrooms and dream about the car he’d like to own in the future.

“That would be a Rolls Royce, though at the minute I have a Toyota Yaris,” he laughs.

click here for more details or to contact Caremark Cheltenham, Gloucester & Tewkesbury