There’s a notable celebration taking place in our offices today, as Rebecca officially turns 21! Our apprentice branch administrator, with us since last summer, has become an integral part of the Care Matters team in Darlington over the last 6 months, and has certainly earned her combination of cake, card and gift.

Developing skills and devouring birthday cake!

Aside from enjoying a slice though, today will be all about continuing to work in her varied role, involving homecare administration and recruitment. And with her birthday taking place just one week after 2021’s National Apprenticeship Week, now seemed like a great time to catch up with her and check in on her progress.

“The thing I am currently enjoying most about my job is that there is a lot of variety, and that I get to be in touch with many different people,” she said. “I feel as though I have learned a lot more about care as a whole, and what goes on behind the scenes, which has in turn helped to develop my confidence within the office. I am more aware of how to answer enquiries that come in, how to fill out paperwork, know what I am speaking about, and how to answer any questions.”

Of course, it’s worth noting that Rebecca has managed to amass this extensive knowledge, and develop many core skills, while both homecare administration and recruitment adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many established processes have been forced to change, particularly surrounding our ongoing recruitment drive. On this, she added: “The biggest challenge has been retrieving paperwork from new candidates. As many people do not have the correct software to fill things in remotely, paperwork, which would normally be filled in on the day of an interview, has to be sent in the post, which can delay the process.”

Finding people work throughout COVID

That said, Rebecca and the rest of our recruitment teams, across Darlington and Stockton, have already welcomed almost 30 new staff into Care Matters – and that’s just since the turn of the year. And by the time Rebecca completes her apprenticeship, later this year, we hope that she’s helped us to make that number much higher!

Registered Manager of our Darlington branch, Sarah Whittaker, said of the progress of her protégé: “From day one she has picked up the skills and knowledge she needs in her role, and been able to expand her duties to also excel in recruitment. Rebecca really is a valued member of the Care Matters team. It’s a pity she has to celebrate such a big birthday in lockdown, but hopefully in just a few months’ time she can have the party she deserves!”

So, for the time being, we’ll all raise a socially distanced mug and be grateful that we get to enjoy Rebecca’s birthday right here – and here’s to many more to come at Care Matters!

To speak to Rebecca and the team, about home care services in Darlington, call us on 01325 482075.