Colin Davidson

My name is Colin Davidson, and I am a Support Worker at Cornerstone working in the supported living service with adults with additional supported requirements. I moved into my current role in social care after many years working in other industries. I left high school and undertook an apprenticeship as an engineer in the security industry. This led to a career that spanned 25+ years, and later I came to the realisation that my age would at some point become a factor in my ability to continue in that sector, so I decided to look at other lines of work. A family friend pointed me in the direction of the care provider Cornerstone and knowing my personality and outlook, they commented to me that they thought I would be perfect for a role in social care.

My typical day consists of attending those in my care in their own homes to administer medication and assist with the daily tasks of having one’s own place and living an independent life. I assist with all aspects of someone having their own home whether that be tasks of cleaning and washing right through to organising holidays and days out to attend events. The residents vary in age from their early twenties through to their sixties. Every day is different, and the role is unlike any other career one could imagine.

When a family friend suggested I would be perfect as a support practitioner I couldn’t grasp why they would have thought so. After I took the plunge and applied for the job I had second thoughts and contacted the recruitment team for Cornerstone to explain that I didn’t think I was the right person for the role.

I had no experience in social care; I had no immediate family with additional support requirements and had no qualifications or knowledge of the care sector.

It was explained to me that the people who Cornerstone employ as support practitioners are selected through their interview process, not on how many qualifications they have or knowledge of the sector but on their personality and empathy for others. Cornerstone had their own training academy where I would be able to gain the relevant knowledge and qualifications.

In my many years working with customers in the security industry installing and servicing electronic equipment I gained skills in working with my hands be it with hand tools or power tools. My nickname in the service is Bob the Builder, and I have with my knowledge been able to work beside others to build furniture, carry out small repairs and assist with general handyman jobs that can crop up with making a house a home.

Other relatable skills that I had never thought about was my ability to meet new people and create bonds with them. As a service engineer, I was for 25 years the face of the company. I was the person who met the customers and worked in their homes or businesses. The social skills I developed throughout this period of my working life has placed me in good stead in being able to build ties with the individuals that I support.

Finally, one of the biggest factors in relatable skills and fitting into my role has come not from any job or career but rather in life skills. At the age of 51 there are many lines of employment where age would be a factor for an employer. Not so in the care sector, my age and life experiences have set me in good stead at being able to relate to others and have an empathy and understanding that at times can only come as one ages.

Last year I completed my studies and gained my SVQ qualification in social care. The funding for these studies was undertaken through Skills Development Scotland as a modern apprentice. This route allowed me to add further qualifications, SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 7, SVQ unit in Information and Communication Technology and SVQ unit in Numeracy. This was quite an undertaking alongside working full time. A huge factor that came into play for me was being able to set aside time for my studies where I could focus solely on completing my modules.

For anyone thinking they are too old to study then trust me nothing could be further from the truth. The one part of my studies that surprised me was the amount of knowledge and experiences I had amassed over the short time I had been in my role. The modules that must be completed for the SVQ qualification are mostly all reflective pieces. Basically, one must call upon their experiences in their job and reflect on their practice. Another benefit of undertaking these studies has been the knowledge I have gained in looking at legislation and documentation for social care.

For one thing I now wake up in the morning and don’t have those Monday morning blues. I will find myself wandering around a supermarket assisting one of my residents with their shopping and realise I had forgotten I was actually at work, or sitting in the cinema thinking to myself “who else in their working life gets paid to go and watch a movie?”

One of the biggest impacts on my personal life is having a good work/life balance. Yes, I work 12-hour shifts, but this also allows me to compact my working week into a few days. Thus, giving me plenty of time to look after my own home and enjoy my hobbies.

The downside to this role has to be when one of your residents is ill or there are concerns for their health and well-being. That can be the difficult side of care.

I work beside colleagues of all ages with differing backgrounds and skills. You might think you’re too young or too old, it may be that you don’t feel you have any skills to offer or knowledge of the care sector. For many years I worked to earn a profit and meet targets for people I never met. Now my target is driven by a desire to help others enjoy life to the full.