A SENIOR care assistant has said a fond farewell to the nursing home where she has worked for more than a decade as she embarks on her journey to become a nurse.

Laura Hodgson, from Lindale, joined the team at the Old Vicarage Care Home in Allithwaite as a cleaner 12 years ago and now, thanks to her dedication and the support of her colleagues, she will start a degree in nursing at the University of Cumbria in Lancaster this month.

The 31-year-old is a passionate advocate of care work as a route into nursing and hopes to inspire more people to consider a job in the care sector as it faces a staffing 'crisis'.

“I would encourage anyone who feels they have the right attitude to consider taking the first step to a rewarding career in care, and beyond!” said Ms Hodgson, whose ambition is to work in A&E.

Ms Hodgson started at the care home aged 19 as a cleaner and became a care assistant the following year.

“I enjoyed the company of the residents and wanted a role where I felt I could make a difference to their lives,” she said.

“We are like one big family at the Old Vicarage. 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.”

Eager to learn and develop, she gained on-the-job training and completed NVQ 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care before she was promoted to a senior carer position in 2018.

It was Ms Hodgson’s fellow colleagues that encouraged her to consider a career in nursing and told her about Access to Higher Education.

And in September last year, she enrolled on the Health & Human Sciences pathway at Kendal College and in August gained the qualification she required to enter university.

“It was such a proud moment when I was offered a place at the university to study nursing and everyone at the care home were chuffed for me,” said Ms Hodgson.

“I shall miss everyone so much, but I shall keep popping in for a cuppa and to catch up with the staff and residents.”

Kamal Siddiqi, owner and business manager at the Old Vicarage, said: “Recruiting and retaining staff is an ongoing concern. With an increasingly ageing population there is a significant demand for more people to enter the care industry.

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

“I’m incredibly proud of Laura and while it’s sad to see her leave, it makes me happy that her time at the Old Vicarage has helped to launch her career in nursing."