A more caring career

Fed-up with a mundane job, Kerry decided to make the switch last November and she says she absolutely loves her new job.

"I'm working as a carer for the elderly in the eastern part of the city. I love everything about my job.

"The hours are great and the people, too - I'm earning more money and getting training as well.

"I really feel that what I do makes a difference to people's lives," she said.

The hours Kerry works fit in well with her family, too. Partner Richard Trotter, 32, can care for Aaron, ten, and Shannon, 8, while Kerry does her evening shifts.

And he is also able to look after them when she works every other weekend.

"The hours really do fit in well. I am about during the day so if they are sick or during the school holidays I am about - and Richard either works in the day or night shifts.

"Depending on what time I arrive at the elderly person's home, I help them with their medication or food. I will help them get up or go to bed - and they really appreciate the company," she said.

The government has just launched the second phase of a national drive to recruit more people to work in the social care work sector.

The campaign highlights the practical support that social care workers provide to help thousands of people to cope with the day-to-day business of living and aims to attract some of the 50,000 social care workers required across the nation annually.

Work in the social care sector reaches a number of vulnerable people in our society including children, families, older people, people with disabilities and those who suffer from mental or terminal illness.

Research has shown a key obstacle to recruiting social care workers is a lack of public understanding about what they do.

TV and press advertisements using the slogan "Doing the small things that make a big difference" illustrate the rewards of a career in social care and challenge the sometimes negative perceptions of the profession.

Health minister Stephen Ladyman said: "I am very pleased with the success of the National Social Care Work Recruitment Campaign so far.

"Last year's campaign attracted more than 80,000 enquiries and a recent poll found that people who had seen the advertising were more likely to make enquiries about a career in social care.

"There are many opportunities for people interested in a career in social care work and real opportunities to climb the career ladder through national vocational qualifications.