We recognise that caring for another person, although rewarding, can be challenging at times. So, at SweetTree, we jump at every opportunity to celebrate the dedicated support workers who make our services possible. This July is Good Care Month and in commemoration, we want to share the stories behind the people who have changed the lives of so many of our clients. In this blog, we’ll be introducing you to one of our learning disabilities support workers, Dubem , who cares for Jeanette ‘Jana’.
Jana (left) and Dubem (right) having a chat
We sat down with the two in Jana’s living room, to paint a full picture of their relationship and the understand the story that lead Dubem to the care industry.
How would you describe your relationship with Dubem?
Jana: “She is very nice, friendly but strict. For example, she doesn’t like when my food isn’t wrapped. She’ll help me wrap everything to keep it hygienic. Every Tuesday, Dubem goes shopping with me. I’m a diabetic, so often she’ll advise on what items are best not to buy because they’re too sweet. I only eat one or two sweet things in the evening, usually an ice cream in the summer.”
And how would you describe yours with Jana?
Dubem: “I think over time, I have come to understand Jana. Often, people misunderstand her. I think with Jana it’s just patience and meeting her halfway. Just like she said, I’ll always tell her, ‘Don’t buy this, don’t buy that’. I eventually realised that we could spend hours in the shop going back and forth, so we always find a compromise and so far, so good.”
How do you think you’ve made a positive impact on Jana’s life?
Dubem: “I’d say she’s learnt more about food hygiene because when I started working with Jana, I’d come in and she would have made something to eat and left the pan open. But every time I come in now, the pan is always covered.
I feel like we spend all day talking, or most of the time. Jana has so many stories from when she was young, which is always interesting.”
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt from working in care?
Dubem: “Patience. Learning to be more patient, more understanding. I think those are general things that everyone should have. With different people and their different needs and neurodiversities, the level of patience you have with one person, may not be the same as another person, so you need to always adjust your approach and learn to understand them. I think that’s the key thing because when you don’t understand someone you can find it difficult to relate to them.
With Jana sometimes she’ll say some things and any other person may find it offensive, but I think because I have spent so much time with her, learnt the way that she talks and gotten used to what she means when she says things. I’ve come to realise that she’s never really trying to be mean or insulting.”
What brought you to working in care?
Dubem: “Well, I was in university, and I needed something that I could easily balance with studies and that was how I got into care. I think over time I just realised that it can be nice going out and having a positive impact on someone else’s day. It gives me enough time to do my stuff whilst also putting me in a position where I can be helpful to others.”
