“ I have been a key worker to some amazing and wonderful people who always remain in your heart.”
Let me introduce myself – my name is Sharon Watts and I began working with Somerset Care in the year 2000 as a relief domestic, and this is where my journey began at Croft House residential care home.
To be honest I took the job as a stop gap whilst I waited for my seasonal job to start again, but during my time working with the team and residents I thought to myself “How can I leave them now”?
I have, over the years, worked my way up though many of the roles within the care home. I was offered a care support post following on from the relief domestic I had been doing, plus working shifts in the kitchen as a kitchen domestic and worked shifts in the laundry. I later progressed to become a day care assistant working split shifts and then became a care assistant for many years.
I progressed to become a shift leader and supervisor. During this time I worked with many health care professionals including GPs, Nurses, CPNs, Social Workers and many more, who valued my opinions and advice. I felt I was able to be a big part in making a difference to the residents who relied upon my support, to ensure that they got the correct care for them.
I have also had the pleasure of working with some amazing people, who shared my passion for caring for others, and can now count many of these people not just as colleagues but as true friends.
5 years ago, as part of my career progression, I applied for a position at another residential care home within Somerset Care, and darn me, I was offered the post – a promotion to Deputy Manager.
This was a leap of faith for me as I would be leaving behind my beloved Croft House where I had worked for 13 years! The big decision was made, and off to Wyndham House I went, to make new friends and meet more beautiful and amazing people with fantastic life stories to share.
2 and a bit years later, the next step up in my career at Wyndham House became available, so I applied, had an interview and became the Manager of Wyndham House.
My Somerset Care journey took a further turn in 2019 when I joined the Bank Team as a Support Manager, helping provide support across a portfolio of Somerset Care homes as well as meeting so many more colleagues and wonderful residents and families.
Then in December 2019 I joined the Quality Team as a Quality Support Manager, continuing to support care homes to maintain and look at ways to improve the quality of care provided in our services.
Who knows what Somerset Care will have in store for me this year.
Watch this space!