Jean-Michel: A Story of Dedication and Care

Jean-Michel is one of the dedicated support workers at Brainkind.

At 65, with a rich and diverse background, including time spent as a butcher, Jean shares his journey, challenges, and what he’s learned from working in care.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to work for Brainkind?
A: About 15 years ago, I moved to the UK from France. Before working in care, I had a very different career — I was a butcher! But I started working for Brainkind in February 2021. My first care work experience was here.

Q: How did you come to work for Brainkind?
A: My wife was working at Brainkind before I started. She is the activity coordinator at Shinewater Court. I used to come in during the evenings, meet the people we support, chat with them, and have a laugh. It was nice, so when the opportunity came up, I decided to join. That’s how I started!

Q: Do you remember your first day on the job?
A: Oh yes, I remember. To be honest, my first day was a bit overwhelming. For the first five minutes, I wondered if I really wanted to do this. It wasn’t easy. But after a while, I got into it and began to really enjoy my job. I’m glad I stuck with it.

Q: What does your typical day look like?
A: I usually start at seven o’clock, and my focus in the morning is helping the people we support with their personal care. I wake them up gently, assist them with showers, help them get dressed, and make sure they’re comfortable. Then, they have breakfast together. A lot of the people need help with eating, so I assist them with that too. It’s not just about care, though — we chat, share stories, and I try to cheer them up.

Q: What do you talk about with the people you support?
A: They love to talk about all sorts of things, like their pets, their families, or just life outside. I join in and tell them about my life as well. I think it helps lift their spirits. It’s really satisfying when I can put a smile on their face.

Q: Have you formed close bonds with some of the people you support?
A: Definitely. Some of them ask me about my holidays, or how my days been. It’s friendly. And not just with the people we support. Their families are very close to us too. They’re always grateful for the support we provide, which is a nice feeling.

Q: You were nominated for the National Care Awards! How did that feel?
A: Honestly, I was so surprised! I didn’t expect it. I think it’s because I’m always there when they need me. Even on my day off, if my manager calls, I’m there to help out. It’s part of the job for me, I don’t really count the hours, I just enjoy being there for the people we support.

Q: What has working in the care sector taught you?
A: It’s been life-changing, to be honest. I’ve built more relationships in this job than ever before. My background was very different, and the kind of relationships you build here are much more personal. It’s a person-centred role, and that’s something special.

Q: Can you share a memorable moment from your time here?
A: One of the people we support is a huge Tottenham Hotspur fan. On my day off, I took him on a stadium tour. We spent the whole day together, and he was as happy as Larry! It was so important for him, and it was such a joy for me to see him that happy.

Q: What’s been the most challenging part of the job?
A: The hardest part is when we lose a person we support. It’s difficult not to take it to heart, even though I know it’s part of the job. You spend so much time with them, and it’s tough when they’re no longer with us.

Q: What does the future hold for you?
A: Well, I was supposed to retire next year, but I’ve decided to stay on for a few more years. I’m not ready to leave yet. This job gives me a sense of purpose. It’s hard to explain, but it’s something I’m really proud of.