Care Home Hairdresser steps in to become Care Assistant

Rebecca Macaulay, our Lambwood Heights hairdresser swapped her scissors for scrubs to step up as a care assistant at our care home in Chigwell and says caring is “really rewarding” and recommends care to anyone looking for a career change.

Rebecca, who has been Lambwood Heights Care Home’s resident hairdresser since September 2020, answered the call for extra carers at Christmas 2020. “They needed extra care staff because there was a shortage due to the number of people having to isolate and I offered to be trained as a carer so I could be of some use.

“I used to look after my late mother, so I was used to looking after older people, which meant the role didn’t faze me. I did the necessary training to become a care assistant, and then I took shifts in this role whenever I was needed during the pandemic.”

Rebecca’s choice was appreciated by Lambwood Heights’ General Manager, Sonia Kasese. “Having Becky come into a care assistant role was a real help during the depths of the COVID pandemic,” she says. “With many staff having to isolate due to COVID during that time, having an extra person who could step in when needed – who knew the home and the residents – was invaluable.”

While Rebecca is now back in the home’s beauty salon, she enjoyed her care role so much, that she’s become part of the lifestyles team at Lambwood Heights, helping to provide daily activities that residents enjoy.

“Being a care assistant is really rewarding for me,” she said.  “Seeing the positive impact, I have is wonderful and it’s great to be able to do that alongside hairdressing, and making them feel good about themselves.

“I always look forward to coming here. I love the residents and I love what I do: making people smile and look beautiful, it’s a nice job.”

Rebecca recommends caring to anyone who is thinking of a change in career. “You don’t need any formal experience as there is training provided. There is career progression available too; there are opportunities for training and to move up in a department and I would definitely recommend caring as a career to anyone who enjoys looking after other people.”

Lambwood Heights is a luxury, purpose-built care home and offers personalised residential, nursing, dementia and respite care for up to 73 residents.

Find out more about joining our team at Oakland Care by visiting our careers page.