In this episode Caroline is joined by Clifton Homecare's Mentoring Lead, Maria Berry. Maria talks about her role within the team, the benefits of mentoring and how she feels every social care team should have access to this level of support.

Maria also talks about her role as a Team Leader and the synergy between leading and supporting a team helps people thrive, personally and professionally.

Linked Information:

Maria and Caroline refer to Lars during this conversation. Lars providers Leadership support and his details are:

Lars Isaksen - lars@larsisaksen.com

07870 841942

www.larsisaksen.com

Skills for care: Home - Skills for Care

Contented Dementia Trust (Specal): Home - Contented Dementia Trust

NEWS 2: NHS England » National Early Warning Score (NEWS)

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

Caroline and Craig discuss how Craig's redundancy made it necessary for him to look for another job in the early part of 2021; at the start of the COVID pandemic. It is fair to say Craig was not sure this was going to be a role for him, especially not because he was going to be supporting people with personal care. Together they discuss this and what a role in the adult social care sector actually looks like - as opposed to assumptions made and misperceptions. Craig summarises his journey to date and how he has risen from Domiciliary care worker to a Healthcare Support Assistant role in the space of 4.5 years. He also talks about the awards he has been nominated for and won over this time. One stand out comment is that no 2 days are the same working in social care.

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

In this episode Caroline is joined by Lauren Taylor, Clifton Homecare's Assistant Manager. Lauren shares with listeners what her role consist of and how varied she finds this. Lauren is enjoying a long and fruitful career in adult social care and she reflects on her journey to date. Lauren feels lucky to be working in the adult social care sector and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of her role, especially when she is supporting the team to make a difference to clients and their families. As part of her role, Lauren regularly responds to clients who are unwell or who have fallen, providing safe and responsive care whilst reducing the burden on the ambulance service. During the discussion Lauren also reflects on supporting clients at the end of their life and how rewarding this can be, when clients experience a good death.

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

Caroline is joined by Margaret for the first episode of series 2.

Up until late 2024 Margaret was Clifton Homecare's Registered Manager. She now fulfills a part time client liaison role - where she enjoys spending time helping and supporting clients and their families navigate their journey when requiring social care support.

Caroline and Margaret chat about Margaret's journey into social care, how it was an accidental step into care and Margaret's long and fruitful career to date. Margaret shares the highs and lows of her career and gives some top tips to others considering a career in social care.

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

Caroline is joined by Fiona and Judith to discuss what makes a good carer. Judith shares her insights as an informal carer and Fiona, as a very independent client. They discuss how respectful communication, a sense of humour and asking rather than assuming can help put people at ease. They explore the importance of patience, empathy and the benefits that varied and interesting conversations have. Continuity of care and the building or friendships definitely runs as a theme throughout this podcast, that in some cases this happens quickly and in other cases it takes a little more time.

The discussion highlights how important it is for care providers to ensure safer recruitment processes are carried out in full and all necessary due diligence is completed.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact Caroline at caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

Caroline and David Kinvig who is a local, Lancashire based Counsellor and Psychotherapist discuss the impact and management of grief for all; including clients, family members, informal and formal carers. David works across a range of specialities such as psychosexual, family, bereavement and grief and provides generic counselling services. David is also a clinical case supervisor.

This podcast will be especially educational and interesting to a wide range of people living and working in or around social care settings.

David talks about the different types of grief, how care providers and teams can help support both clients and their families with deteriorating health and death. They also explore how informal and formal carers can be best supported to come to terms with their loss.

David explains what purposes tears and crying serve us and that there are in fact 3 types of tears!

It is an incredibly insightful discussion which will make anyone listening think more about situations they have experienced or may well experience in later life.

David can be contacted directly via; 07713 978580 or DMKinvig@outlook.com

David refers to the DARE app during the podcast and the following organisations may be of interest for people to follow up afterwards:

Dying Matters https://www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters

Cruse bereavement Home - Cruse Bereavement Support

Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Twins Trust https://twinstrust.org/bereavement.html

SOBS https://uksobs.com/

BACP https://www.bacp.co.uk/

Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

Caroline and Winifred discuss what it means to her and her family when the care team, especially Linda get it right when providing care and support to her. They explore how to get the most out of your relationship with a care worker and what does make the difference to people. Winifred tells listeners about her harmonious relationship which she has built with her care worker and how this not only helps her physically but mentally too.

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

Caroline and Vinnie discuss how Vinnie's deteriorating health left her feeling angry and facing a sense of loss, which in her words felt like a bereavement. Up until Vinnie's hospital discharge she had been incredibly independent and it took her time to accept she needed help and support.

Vinnie researched and met with several homecare providers before choosing Clifton Homecare. She talks openly about how the care and support has helped her regain her independence, subsequently increasing her confidence again.

Vinnie and Caroline attended Manchester pride in the summer of 2025 and they discuss what a fabulous event this was. The day was a beautiful celebration of everyone regardless of gender, age, sexual identity and orientation.

Caroline would like to take this opportunity to thank Virgin Money https://uk.virginmoney.com/ and Cavalry Care Cavalrycare | Changing care for the better for their partnership with The Outstanding Society Sharing & Celebrating Best Practice within Social Care which means adult social care is represented at key Pride events each year.

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk