4 Inspiring stories of women working in the care sector

81 per cent of the adult social care workforce are women and a significant number of those have come from overseas to care for older people around the UK.

International carers make a valuable contribution to the care sector, and in Pilgrims’ Friend Society care homes, this is no exception. The charity’s bespoke approach to caring for older people means that their care teams are at the heart of their homes—working tirelessly, creating bonds with the people who live there, and truly embodying the word “carer”.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a day dedicated to celebrating the inspirational women in our lives, their stories and their achievements, so here are the stories of four incredible women working as carers in Pilgrims’ Friend Society care homes around the UK.

Charo, 46, is from the Philippines and moved to the UK to become a carer at Framland, Wantage in October 2023.  She describes the feeling of landing in the UK for the first time as a “dream come true”.

Nonetheless, the decision to work so far away from home was a challenging one. Charo is married and has twin daughters who are nearly seven.

“Although it breaks my heart being away from my family, in the UK I can earn much more than I would in the Philippines, so I am working for my daughters’ future,” she says.

“My parents are the ones who inspired me to become a carer. They cared for my grandparents, and now I can pay it forward. My mum is my inspiration in life. Just as she cared for others, it now feels like a tradition.”

To Charo, working and laughing with the care home residents is like being around her grandparents. She cares for them as she would her own family. 

She concludes, “Caring is a gift that gives life to us.”

Angella is 27 and moved to the UK to be a carer at Shottermill House in Haslemere, Surrey in March 2023. After struggling to find a job as a teacher in Zimbabwe, she was first encouraged to become a carer by her aunt.

“The woman who inspires me the most is my aunt, Beauty”, she says. “She’s my role model. I have always wanted to do nursing and when I received this opportunity to take care of other people, she was the one that motivated me.”

“Growing up, she was the one who paid for my school fees and teacher training. She has always believed in me.”

When she first moved to the UK, Angella lived with Beauty, but she has since been joined by her husband and five-year-old son, Jayden.

“For the first eight months, I was only able to keep in touch with them through video calls”, Angella says. “It was hard, but we are now reunited.”

Angella works with many people who are living with dementia at Shottermill House, who often make her laugh, but the work can be challenging. She says, “As long as you understand people with dementia, the work is truly rewarding”.

Bridget is 47 and came from Harare in Zimbabwe to be a carer at Finborough Court, Stowmarket in late 2023. Already a seasoned carer, she wanted to travel, bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience to the UK.

Bridget is the mother of five and grandmother to three, but still looks up to her own mum as her inspiration in life.

“The first girl in a family of ten, she still cares for many people, even at the age of 72”, says Bridget, describing her mum. “She is strong, spiritual, determined and focused and still wakes up every morning to go to work.”

“She used to be a nurse but now carries out community immunisation programmes and is well-known and respected by everyone. I want to be just like her when I am older.”

“My work is important because every older person needs love, attention, companionship and someone to talk to and listen to them, even if it can’t always be their loved ones,” she explains.

“I just wish that people would show more love to others. Everyone is your sister, your mother or your friend. We should encourage one another to raise up girls to have better opportunities.”

Claire, 27, moved from Zimbabwe to be a carer at Koinonia Christian Care Home in Worthing in October 2023 and is currently completing her care certificate.

When asked about the most inspirational woman in her life, she names her late aunt Blessing.

“She was a carer and nursing aid at a clinic in Zimbabwe. She was a lovely, caring and honest lady, and when she passed, we felt a void. She inspired me to be a good person and to do my best to leave a mark on a person’s life.”

“I was also named after her—I was given the Shona version of her name, Zvikomborero, which means ‘innumerable blessings’. When I was growing up, she worked in my hometown, and although she lived further away, would always come and visit my family, bringing chocolate and snacks to make me happy. She was someone who was always on my side.”

For Claire, getting to know and help people on a personal level is a part of her job that she really enjoys.  She says, “The care home residents know that I am there for them. They don’t always have the energy to do things for themselves, but they are always grateful that someone is there to help them.”