Former Homeless Caterer Becomes an Award-Winning Carer
Mick Sowerby, a senior support worker at Fairholme in South Shields, went from working for a fast-food chain and sleeping rough, to receiving an award from a national care provider.
Mick, who spent most of his childhood in care, started his career working in catering. After attending youth training schemes, he moved to London to find work, sleeping under a bush before finding suitable accommodation.
After a year of jobbing in different fast food restaurants, he decided the industry wasn’t for him and applied for a job in a residential school which supported children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Mick said: “As I spent most of my childhood in care with my brothers, I had so much empathy for the students there and wanted to give back all the help and love I could. I loved working there and spent five years supporting students, until I moved on to further my career.
“Whilst working full time I also studied for four years with Open University for a diploma in Health & Social Care, which I achieved in 2004.”
After a short-term agency job in child protection for social services covering all of the North East ended, Mick joined the team at Fairholme, a residential care home in South Shields supporting adults with mental health issues, which also provides care for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Mick said: “At Fairholme, we have a great, balanced variety of skills in the team, and every day is completely different with a chance to learn something new.
“Mental health support especially fascinated me, so to continue my learning and training in that area, I went full-time as a support worker. I always love supporting individuals directly and thrive on passing on my skills and knowledge to them so they can achieve their goals and aspirations as I have done mine.
“I was honoured and quite shocked when I received a Salutem Star from our CEO, John, and when I read the congratulatory card from him, I got a tear in my eye.
“I’m not in care to take – I’m in care to give something back to the individuals who just need a little bit of support and guidance to help them live their best lives.
“Since joining Salutem, I’ve seen massive positive changes and progression, not just for the employees, but more importantly, all the individuals we support who we get out of bed for, work the hours for, and who make the job so enjoyable and worthwhile! I can’t wait to see where my career in care takes me next.”
John Godden MBE, CEO of Salutem Care and Education, said: “At Salutem, we believe it’s important to recognise the essential work our carers do for the individuals we support.
