First City - Victoria Abode Catchup

• November 21, 2023

We previously spoke to Victoria in April and thought we would catch up to see how things may have changed.

Victoria E.Abode, Healthcare Assistant

• Department: First City Homecare
• Joined First City: March 2023

1. Now that you have successfully passed probation, what excites you about working in healthcare?

The exciting thing about healthcare for me is the opportunity to support people in ways they need help to gain independence. Knowing that every day I go out and make an impact on someone's journey to regaining independence is my motivation, especially when some of them appreciate the extra effort you put in to ensure their comfort and promote their confidence.

2. Now that you have successfully passed probation, what advice would you give to someone new to the industry?

My advice to a newcomer in the industry is to be passionate about the job. Another thing is to be compassionate and sensitive towards the feelings and needs of others, especially the people you are supporting. The individual must also be very patient because they must remember that we are supporting these individuals to attain independence as much as possible, therefore, we must encourage them to do as much as they can independently even though sometimes it can be slow. They must be open to learning and relearning. A newcomer must understand what carefulness means in this job because any little mistake can cause a lot of harm.

3. What has been your favourite moment while working with First City?

It was the moment a resident held my hands and said, "Victoria, I like the way you care for me, I hope you are not leaving First City anytime soon". That moment was really emotional for me as it was a confirmation that I have found myself in the right profession. It gave me a sense of appreciation, that no matter how many times some people did not see the effort I put in, that some people understand and appreciate it, is enough for me to go on.

4. Thinking about working for First City, how would you describe the company?

My experience with first City has been splendid because I have come to realise that they are a company that is sensitive to the needs of their employees. I am happy about how they have handled some of my few complaints and how supportive they are about my welfare. I am happy about the flexibility I enjoy with my rota. I have requested several changes and they never get tired of accommodating these changes. I'm grateful to First City for the opportunity to grow. I have had a few discussions about my future with the company and I am excited about it.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us Victoria, we look forward to seeing how your career continues to grow!

If you would like to share your First City journey please email charlotteg@firstcitygroup.co.uk