Everybody knows January is only a test month, the real hard work and grit takes place in February right?

It’s coming up to 3 months since I have started to work for Platinum Care and I am asking myself where the time is gone. What have I learned and achieve in past 3 months?

On this rainy and dull day here in Bognor I am reflecting on my life since I came to UK 9 years ago, I started to work in the Dementia Care Home as a night care assistant, how lucky I was that they offered me the job as trust me my English couldn’t be any worse. I remember having interview and for most of the questions I was just saying yes oh yes and yes J but honestly I didn’t have much ide what the lady was talking about. Slowly slowly with the help from the staff and my manager I became more confident with my English, I have attended many trainings and I loved my job, I loved helping elderly people and I felt like my job is very rewarding. After few months I have been offered the day care assistant job which I was very delighted about, because I get to meet the families, Nurses and doctors and everyone who used to come in the day time.

As the years passed through I have worked myself up to Deputy Manager in the same Care home, I remember being very frightened in the beginning as I had no idea if I will manage, I had to suddenly deal with not only the residents but the staff, all the paperwork and helping my manager to run the Home in the best way as possible.

6 years later I felt like I need change in my life as all the paperwork and responsibilities became my night mare and that was the day when I started to work as a carer for Platinum, I remember my interview with Aga like it was yesterday. I used to love going to different places and learn lots of new things, meet new people because I am very chatty person I never had any problem with that.

Later on I have been offered a senior position in other Dementia Care Home and I have accepted it, as I have been promised not much paperwork but more ‘hand on the floor’.

I do love care job but sometimes we all have to adjust especially when we have family to look after. Me and Aga we stayed in touch after me leaving PCS for the other Care home, and once I’ve told her that I will like to try something completely different jobwise.

Few weeks later I have received phone call from Aga to come to the office and have a chat with Jo. Jo made me feel very relaxed as I was a bit nervous about the interview, and guess what? Jo had offered me the position in PCS Bognor office. And that’s when I started new era and tell you what after 3 months I have learned a lot already, discovered that I capable of things I never dreamt about. All the ladies in Platinum are very helpful, I been giving lots of training and in depth induction. I will be starting my Business diploma soon. Attend many Job fairs and I continue to recruit more amazing staff.  And now I am here like a fish in the water.

It’s so lovely for me to meet all the carers and nurses and see how hard everyone is working, receiving all the amazing feedback from the homes and being a part of such a fabulous company.

I guess the purpose of my blog its to tell every single of you, not to give up on your dreams and keep working hard, because as you can see my story I worked myself up as well and if I can do it, than everyone else can. As long as you guys believe in yourself and if you ever feel like you struggle and you can’t manage, than you need to know that our doors are always open and we are here to help you with nice hot cup of tea, smile and chat, because those little things in life sometimes can make a big difference.

By Monika Gzara

We are delighted that following a Care Quality Inspection at the end of last year, we have received an overall rating of Good. This is a great tribute to our staff who share our values of providing the best possible care and always go the extra mile.

It was so nice to hear the comments made by those we care for, their families, staff and our stakeholders who fed back to the commission during their inspection. It tells me that we are on the right journey in our pursuit of excellence and I am sharing their comments below:

Those we care for said:

“The team of carers brighten up my day it is a pleasure to have them look after me.”

“Fantastic whenever they come in.”

“The staff are 100%, they have been ever so good”

“I am very lucky to have some lovely girls coming in to help me.”

“They are very helpful and treat me with respect.”

A relative of a person we care for said:

“Platinum Care Solutions have always been extremely helpful and supportive when we are working out the care our parents need. They have been very flexible, especially when emergencies arise e.g. one parent admitted suddenly to hospital and the other parent needing much more care. We both have confidence in the care they provide.”

Our staff said:

“I like working here, I enjoy my job so much”

“I think if I won the lottery, I’d still come to work here”

“It’s a good variety, so much going on”.

Our stakeholders said:

“We have worked with the provider now for nearly two years and we can say that their staff have always turned up on time and given an excellent standard of care,”

“I have every faith that this agency carry out their clients care to the best of their ability….personally have had good experiences from using their service.”

Many thanks to everyone who took part in the inspection and to the Care Quality Commission. We value the feedback in helping us to shape our services so that we can continue to have a positive impact on the quality of lives of the people we care for.

Jo Barry