Maisie, a member of our team in Leicestershire, shares how her plans of attending university and becoming a primary school teacher changed after starting a career at MacIntyre...and why she hasn't looked back since.
"My name is Maisie and I grew up with MacIntyre in my life, as my mum and dad both worked here. I started supporting in Leicester, just after my 18th birthday. I thought I would be a relief member of staff whilst I finished my A-Levels and earn some money before going to university.
From the age of 12, I had my whole life mapped out. I was going to pass my A-Levels, go to university and become a primary school teacher."
When Maisie passed her A-Levels, she was offered places at two universities. But for Maisie, her time at MacIntyre had already made quite an impression.
"I passed my A-Levels and I was offered places at two universities, but I turned them down. I had enjoyed my start with MacIntyre, I wanted to learn more and I wasn’t ready to leave yet. I decided to take a year out to carry on working.
A couple of months later, I changed my mind again! I decided uni wasn’t for me, but supporting people with learning disabilities was."
From here, Maisie applied for a job at a special education needs (SEN) school with another organisation, combining her interest in supporting people with learning disabilities and her passion for working with children.
Whilst her application to work at the school was successful, Maisie still wanted to stay on at MacIntyre, choosing to work as a Relief Support Worker in her spare time.
"I enjoyed working with the children at the school, but the support and training were incomparable to my time at MacIntyre. So, during the summer holidays, I decided that MacIntyre was where I wanted to be.
With MacIntyre I am constantly learning. We have a strong team who support each other constantly, along with the help and support from our managers and senior staff members. I enjoy working with the people we support and that no two days are ever the same.
One day I could be supporting someone to go swimming and the next day to go trampolining. Another day I could be supporting someone to do messy play with shaving foam, the next I could be helping them to attend a dance session or I could be cleaning or updating support plans. That’s just a normal week!"
Inspired?
Could you join our team and change the lives of people with learning disabilities and/or autism? For us, experience in social care isn't always necessary, as long as you share our values and are ready to learn, we will teach you everything you need to know.
Take a look at our current vacancies in your area: https://www.macintyrecharity.org/careers/current-vacancies/ or get in touch using the form below.
