60 seconds with Kaila Carolan

From volunteer to carer: Kaila's journey at Hampton House

Kaila Carolan is a 17-year-old General Assistant who is undertaking an apprenticeship at Hampton House. We caught up with her to talk about her burgeoning career.

Why did you decide to pursue a job in caring for older people?

I started out volunteering at Hampton House last year, just doing some basic admin work, some crafts, preparing for events and helping in the kitchen. Having only left school a year prior, I still didn't really know what I wanted to do, but the idea of being able to make a difference to another individual’s life was very appealing to me. I enjoyed what I was doing and applied for a permanent role.

What were the main features of Hampton House that first attracted you to it?

Hampton House has a great family atmosphere, and you can see the difference that all the staff make to the residents’ lives. The residents are like an extended part of your family. The staff welcomed me into the team and every day I go home knowing I have made a difference to someone. 

What support have you received as someone just beginning their career?

I have just started an apprenticeship which is absolutely brilliant and will teach me a lot about customer service. The chef has been amazing and given me lots of advice on the best ways to complete my tasks. The residents are incredibly supportive and are always complimentary, and even nominated me for an award at the recent awards ceremony. These kind words mean more to me than anything.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?

The biggest challenge for me so far was losing someone. We recently lost a resident, and it was heartbreaking.

What is the most enjoyable or rewarding part of your role?

I love meeting the residents and speaking with them, learning about their backgrounds, listening to their amazing stories. Some of the residents don't have visitors or family and some don't go out, so just being there for a chat is really rewarding.

How do you see your career progressing?

My next step is to complete my apprenticeship and take it from there. The one thing I know is that I feel like I am on the right path, in terms of having a role where I can have a positive impact on someone else’s life. Who knows, maybe in 10 years time I’ll be interviewed in the Voice as a housing manager!