A CARE home worker with nearly two decades of experience helping residents is hoping to inspire others to follow her path.

Charlotte Gregson has worked at The Old Vicarage care home in Allithwaite, near Grange, for almost 20 years.

And this comes at a time when recruiting and retaining care staff is said to be an ongoing challenge across the country.

But the dedicated 45-year-old has forged a career in care, starting as a care assistant, progressing to senior care assistant, deputy care manager and then becoming care manager at the 19-bed care home in 2012.

She said: "We will always need good care workers.

“It’s a vocation not a job, so you must have a passion for working with older people. But it is a worthwhile profession and there are opportunities for career progression.

“To be a good care worker it’s about having the right attitude, you can learn new skills and take qualifications, but more importantly you need to be patient, caring and open-minded to help you meet the needs of your residents.

“I love getting to know our residents and hearing their life stories. It’s so rewarding to be able to help make their lives better and easier.

“I would encourage anyone who feels they have the right attitude to consider taking the first step to a rewarding career in care.”

Care home owner, Kamal Siddiqi said: “Charlotte is a real asset to the home, and a complete role model to younger staff who look up to her.

“Recruiting and retaining staff is an ongoing concern for the care sector, so to have a manager that continues to show such dedication and enthusiasm for her role is heartwarming. She is an inspiration to anyone considering a career in care.”