Not every fantastic care professional starts their career journey with this industry in mind.
In fact, plenty of people find a meaningful vocation in care after doing something very different.
Jenny Nicholas, now the Registered Manager of Baylis Place, spent her early career in the world of finance before she reached the point where she wanted to try something new.
After applying for a variety of different roles, unsure of what might be a good fit, Jenny was recruited as a Support Worker at Baylis Place.
Little did she know that this was the first step into a career that now feels like ‘destiny’.
Jenny said: “When I started as a Support Worker in 2014, I never imagined I’d become a manager or even want to be one.
“I never intended to have a career in care, but perhaps it was destiny.
“That’s because, from a young age, I was a carer for my little brother Michael, who had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – he was the kindest, bravest, smartest and strongest person I’ve ever known.
“When he started primary school, he could walk and was ‘Michael’, but by the time he left, he was unable to walk, so he started secondary school known as ‘the boy in a wheelchair’.
“It felt like no one could look past his disability to the amazing person he was, and it was heartbreaking.
“It became a strongly held value of mine to truly see people and to appreciate them for who they really were.
“My early experiences taught me that the overlooked and disadvantaged will always need someone to fight for them, to value them, and to be their voice.”
In her work at Baylis Place, Jenny soon realised that she could be that person for the people she was supporting.
She was promoted to Team Leader and then Deputy Manager as her journey continued.
Jenny continued: “I quickly discovered that I loved care and made it my mission to care for each individual in the way I would want for my brother.
“As time passed, I learnt all that I could about care because I wanted to make a difference, and this desire only increased when my brother passed away.
“Michael always believed in me, so I took the rather intimidating role of Registered Manager.”
Today, Jenny leads the Baylis Place team and continues to be inspired and driven by Michael’s legacy and her dedication to her work.
She added: “I can’t help every person with Autism and Learning Disabilities, but for the 11 individuals that I am responsible for, I do everything in my power to give them the best life possible.
“I couldn’t do my job without my amazing team and the positive leadership above as we work together to make Baylis the very best that it can be.
“My aim is to improve the lives of others through kindness, positive choices and constructive actions. I’m determined to make my brother proud every step of the way.”
