“I Thought It Would Be a Summer Job – 16 Years Later, I’m Still Here, and I Love It…”

When Rebecca Vernon left college to start university, she never imagined she would still be with the same employer 16 years later. Like many students, she wanted a flexible job to fit around her studies, and she found this in care.

“I started with Radis Community Care in 2009 while doing my Primary School Teaching degree,” Rebecca explains. “At first it was just a way to earn money while studying. I didn’t have any experience, but I soon realised it was something I really enjoyed.”

What began as a part-time role became a full-time career after Rebecca graduated. “I worked full-time in my gap year before going into teaching, and I never looked back. I realised this was what I wanted to do,” she says.

For Rebecca, who now works as a Support Worker at Radis Community Care, the appeal has always been about people. “Working in the community never really feels like work. You’re in people’s homes, chatting, supporting them, and helping them stay independent. Sometimes you might be the only person they see that day, so it’s a really social job. It feels like visiting friends or family, and helping them out.”

Her first introduction to care came even before she joined Radis. “My elderly neighbour had Radis carers when I was younger. Seeing the difference it made for her was what inspired me to apply.”

Rebecca says the role has shaped her as much as she’s shaped her career. “Care grows you as a person. If you’re shy, it helps you come out of your shell. You learn how to make people comfortable, break the ice, and connect with them. These are skills you carry through life, no matter what path you take.”

Now, with more than a decade of experience behind her, Rebecca is still as passionate about her work as the day she started. “It doesn’t get repetitive, because every person and every day is different. I’ve built relationships with people who’ve known me since I was 21. They trust me, and that means a lot.”

She’s also looking to the future. “I want to explore training and supporting new carers, so they can build their own journeys in care. You gain so much knowledge over the years, and I’d like to share that with others.”

As students who have recently left college think about what’s next, Rebecca says care should be on their list. “You don’t need any experience to start – just kindness and a willingness to learn. It’s a job that gives you so much back, and it can become a career you never expected.”