I get to talk about MindWise and the work we do for people

I get to talk about MindWise and the work we do for people

6 April 2016

SOCIAL care activity in the Down area was showcased at a national conference recently attended by Jackie McCaughey, an area manager with mental health charity MindWise which has a base in Downpatrick.

Jackie is an ambassador for careers in care, a role which is supported by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council which organised the recent best practice conference. Her role involves promoting career opportunities in the social care sector.

Jackie grew up near Dromara and when she left school began training to become a nurse, but left before completing her finals and focused her energy on family life, working on the family farm outside Lisburn. Twelve years ago, with circumstances on the farm changing and her sons growing up, Jackie decided it was time for a change.

“As my children were growing up and I was no longer needed full-time on the farm, I decided to go back to work in healthcare, initially as a care assistant in a nursing home,” explained Jackie. “I knew as soon as I went back into the health care sector that I had made the right decision.

“I have progressed through various job roles in the last ten years and have been with MindWise for eight years.”

Jackie said when she started out she had no formal qualifications in health and social care but completed NVQ levels two and three while working as a care assistant. She then went on to complete the level four Registered Managers’ Award as well as the Open University Certificate in Health and Social Care. 

When she joined MindWise, Jackie continued studying and completed qualifications in leadership and the QCF level five Diploma in Management in Health and Social Care.

“MindWise believes in life long learning, so I have been able to attend a number of courses that are relevant to my role and recently I completed a level three coaching course,” she continued.

“I have also been able to support other staff as they complete their qualifications in health and social care.

“When I first began my career, I learned a lot through shadowing more experienced staff and I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to attend numerous courses and to gain a number of qualifications.”

Jackie’s role with MindWise covers the Downpatrick and Mourne areas and one of the aspects of the role that she particularly enjoys is the variety of what she does. She has overall management responsibility for 11 services provided by MindWise including supported housing, day care as well as responsibility for compliance across the organisation. 

She continued: “Each day is very different and it’s always busy, from managing budgets, completing monitoring visits to ensure we meet RQIA, Supporting People and NISCC standards, representing the organisation on a wide variety of forums and, most importantly, seeing the difference we make to people lives as they begin or continue their recovery journey.

“I find the work very rewarding in that I am helping others and hopefully making a real difference to people’s lives, whether they are in a day care setting, supported housing or living in their own home.”

Jackie admits it is always sad to see people leave the service, but said it is a pleasure to know that when they do move on, they have been provided with the support that has helped them to be able to manage their mental health and to continue in their recovery with reduced support from services. She said helping people develop their skills, self-esteem and confidence in their abilities to manage is very rewarding.

While Jackie now has an impressive collection of qualifications and in 2013 was named Northern Ireland NVQ Learner of the Year, she admits returning to study was a challenge, but is very supportive of people who want to start or return to education. She says it is never too late and everyone can learn, given the right support and advice. 

Jackie is also passionate about encouraging new recruits to the social care sector and shares her enthusiasm through her role of NISCC Ambassadors for Careers in Care.

She added: “I was very keen to be part of the NISCC Ambassadors service because I saw it as an opportunity to tell others about my experiences; how they too can progress from being a care assistant to management with a bit of hard work and determination. 

“There are some excellent career pathways in the social care sector and great opportunities to learn and progress. Showing people what they can achieve and telling them about the various roles they can work in is satisfying. I also get an opportunity to talk about MindWise and the work we do for people with mental health issues. I feel the Ambassadors role allows me to give something back.”

To find out more about the Ambassadors for Carers in Care service run by NISCC visit www.niscc.info, while to find our more about MindWise visit www.mindwisenv.org.