A care home worker in Somerset who began as a care assistant has now become an administrator.
Sarah Nicholls, who started at Frome Nursing Home in May 2019 after moving from Southampton with six years' care experience, said she was made to feel at home from day one.
Her story highlights the home's approach to long-term development and career progression in the social care sector.
Ms Nicholls said: "I settled in straight away as it was the care I was used to giving and the team were brilliant, I settled in so quickly because they just let me be myself.
"I’m naturally quite loud and always laughing, and they just embraced my sense of humour and let me be me."
Her progression was swift, thanks to the support of the home manager who encouraged her to take on a leadership role.
She said: "I quickly progressed in the same year to house lead because the home manager supported me and saw that had the leadership skills to do this role, even though I didn’t see this myself."
After two years as a house lead, Ms Nicholls was encouraged to become a care practitioner, completing a year-long programme through the Evolve Care Academy.
The training provided her with a deeper understanding of residents’ complex needs, including their emotional and physical wellbeing.
She also took on the role of induction lead, guiding new team members through their first 12 weeks and discovering a passion for teaching and mentorship.
In 2024, she transitioned into the administrator role at Frome Nursing Home.
Ms Nicholls said: "Coming into work each day makes me feel happy, I still get to be with the team and family members so that part of what I love is still there … I am learning all the time, and the team here is really supportive."
She credited her growth to the supportive culture at the home.
She said: "I bring this all back to seven years at Frome is because I feel a part of a community, dare I say a family because I can be myself.
"In past care homes, I felt I had to be fake.
"I have worked in care for 14 years now and this is the first care home where I can be my silly self and be open about my sexuality.
"My advice to someone who is interested in working in care is to give it a go like me, to find a role that you really want to do.
"I have been lucky that I’ve been supported through my career progression had the opportunity to try different pathways.”
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