Care Assistant Jobs in Northern Ireland: Catherine’s Story

Get to know Catherine, one of the dedicated faces behind the care at Unique Home Care NI

Catherine’s move into care shows how the right role can bring your existing skills into a new career, even when you have never worked in the sector before.

Catherine has been part of Unique Home Care NI for one year. She works daytime hours in a supported living care role, providing consistent support to the same client.

Before joining Unique, Catherine spent most of her working life in administration. Those roles helped her build strong organisation, communication and time-management skills, but over time, she began to feel that something was missing.

She wanted work that felt more personal. Work where she could use her strengths to support others and see the difference she was making.

Moving from administration into care

Catherine had not always worked in care, but helping people had always felt natural to her.

Before joining Unique, she had experience supporting people in their homes with decluttering and organising. What stayed with her was the difference simple, practical support could make to someone’s wellbeing.

Helping someone feel calmer in their own space gave Catherine a real sense of purpose. It made her think more carefully about what she wanted from her working life.

“I sat on the fence before taking that first step and getting in touch. Once I finally contacted Unique, I knew I had made the right decision.”

She had been following Unique Home Care NI on Facebook and looking through the website for some time before applying. What stood out to her was the focus on unrushed, quality care that was tailored to each client as an individual.

Feeling supported in a new career

Starting in a new role can feel daunting. Catherine was honest about feeling nervous at first and wondered whether she would have the knowledge, skills and confidence to do the role well.

Looking back, she feels she did not need to worry as much as she did.

From her first contact with Unique, through the interview, checks, paperwork and induction, Catherine felt guided and supported. Once she started working, that support continued through regular training, monthly team meetings and staff check-ins.

Over time, Catherine has gone from feeling unsure in a completely new sector to feeling more capable, knowledgeable and confident in her role as a care worker.

The value of working with the same client

Catherine currently works in a supported living role, which means she works consistently with the same client. That continuity is one of the parts of the job she values most.

“Rather than constantly moving between different people and homes, I have the opportunity to build a genuine and meaningful relationship with the person I support. Over time, you get to know their personality, routines, likes and dislikes, interests and what is important to them.”

That consistency helps trust develop. It also means Catherine can recognise changes in her client’s mood, behaviour or wellbeing because she knows them as an individual.

That is one of the reasons home care with Unique feels so meaningful to her. She has the time to focus on the person in front of her, rather than rushing through a list of tasks.

Small moments that make a real difference

For Catherine, the most rewarding parts of care are often found in everyday moments. She supports her client with morning routines, personal care, household tasks and homemade meals.

“Those small moments of connection, happiness and achievement are what continually remind me that I am doing the work I was meant to do.”

She also enjoys creating opportunities for activities that bring purpose and enjoyment, whether that is arts and crafts, baking together or time spent doing something familiar at home.

Catherine also values helping her client stay connected to their local community. Whether it is an outing, an event or simply a change of scenery, these moments give the person she supports the chance to socialise, enjoy new experiences and feel part of life beyond the home.

But care is not always about doing something busy. Sometimes, sitting together, having a proper conversation, listening closely and simply being present can be just as meaningful as any practical task.

Challenging what people think home care is

Catherine believes one of the biggest misconceptions about home care is that carers are always rushing from one house to the next, trying to complete short calls before moving on. That has not been her experience with Unique.

“The time and consistency that my role with Unique provides means that quality of care can genuinely be the priority.”

One of the things that stood out to Catherine was Unique’s minimum one-hour visits. That time allows care assistants to get to know the people they support, understand their needs and provide care that feels personal.

For Catherine, being a carer is about more than personal care or household tasks. It is about supporting someone to live their best life, sharing laughter, creating opportunities and being there when support is needed.

Catherine’s advice to anyone thinking about care

Catherine’s advice to anyone considering a move into care with Unique is simple.

"Go for it."

Before joining Unique, she was unsure whether she had the right experience. Now, she knows that the right attitude, compassion and genuine desire to help people are some of the most important qualities to bring at the start.

The skills and knowledge can be developed with the right training and support.

“What you get back from working in care can be incredibly rewarding. Knowing that you have helped someone have a better day, supported them to do something they enjoy, encouraged their independence or simply been there to listen can give you a real sense of purpose.”

After recently taking a short break from work, Catherine noticed something that meant a lot to her. She was not dreading going back, rather she was looking forward to it.

For Catherine, that speaks volumes about how much she enjoys her role and how much she values the relationship she has built with the person she supports.

“When you know you have found the best job for you, you just know.”

A career change that felt right

Catherine’s story shows that care can be a rewarding career path for people from many different backgrounds. You do not need to have spent your whole working life in care to make a difference. The right values, training and support can help someone grow into the role with confidence.

For Catherine, care has become work that feels purposeful and rewarding. Her experience reflects the kind of care Unique works hard to provide every day, care that is unrushed, consistent and built around the person being supported.

You can read more about the vision Unique was built on in our founder Debbie's story, where she shares why time and person-centred care have always shaped the way we support clients and staff.

If you are thinking about care assistant jobs in Belfast, Bangor, Comber, Newtownards, Ballygowan, Saintfield or the surrounding areas, Catherine’s story shows what can happen when you take that first step.

Interested in joining the Unique Home Care NI team? Explore our current care assistant roles or learn more about our team.