Cardiff and Vale College Access to Nursing and Midwifery student Sarah James has continued to work with some of the most vulnerable members of our community during the pandemic.
Sarah is employed as a full-time Complex Needs Health Care Assistant, working with a gentleman with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Cardiff who requires 24-hour ventilator support.
Before starting in her current role in adult social care in 2018, Sarah worked as a support worker for children and young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities in a residential centre.
“I love my job and have a great rapport with my service user. It’s like caring for a friend or family member - you can’t help but get attached,” Sarah said. “We thankfully have been supplied with enough PPE to fulfil our roles safely.
“The pandemic itself has mainly affected us with regards to equipment, as there is a European shortage of certain items such as a closed suction tube which is vital for the service user I work with.”
Sarah’s role involves all aspects of daily care from personal care to administering medication and clinical duties as required. Alongside this, Sarah is a vital support, friend and company throughout the day, building a rapport with those she works with and being there to rely on through this difficult time.
Juggling her studies at CAVC while working full-time in her role, Sarah is due to finish in 2021. She hopes to continue her education studying nursing at university, specialising in disability nursing.
If you are interested in studying an Access to Nursing and Midwifery course at Cardiff and Vale College, register herefor the CAVC 24/7 Virtual Open Day where you can access course information and ask questions at a time most convenient to you.