We would like to extend a warm welcome to John Donachie, who joins Helping Hands as a Live-in Care Manager. Read John's profile below:
Hello I'm John Donachie (pronounced Don-a-hay) and I am the Live-in Care Manager for Worcestershire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and South Birmingham.
Qualifications
I obtained my NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care in 2010. I also have an Honours Degree in Graphic Design. I have training in the following areas:
- Spinal Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Intermittent Catheterisation
- Peristeen Irrigation
- Tracheostomy Care
- Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Bowel Care
- Ventilator and Humidification
- Moving and Handling
- Basic First Aid
- High Dependency Care
- Food Hygiene
- Adult and Child Protection
- Two month placement working in a Children's Intensive Care Unit
- Young Adult and Respite Care
At Helping Hands I have a number of younger clients who live independently through the support of our brilliant live-in carers. It has been particularly wonderful to see the relationships that have developed and the difference that live-in care can make to another person's life.
I have experience working for three years with a younger adult who has a spinal injury following an accident. It involved supporting and encouraging him to lead an independent life and helping to improve his life following this traumatic experience.
Older Clients
Since I joined Helping Hands, I have been working with clients who live with Dementia, Parkinsons and other varied conditions. It is so important that these service users have the right to stay in their own homes and retain their independent lifestyles through the help of one of our live-in carers.
I also worked with an older man living with Cerebral Palsy for three years, managing a team of carers who looked after him. This role was extremely rewarding as it enabled me to develop a relationship wiht someone who could not communicate verbally. This role was very fulfilling and challenging and enabled me to develop my management skills and ultimately help the service user to have a better quality of life, which was very rewarding.
Job Satisfaction
I enjoy working in a job where you can make such a difference and are able to develop close relationships with clients, families and carers. I also like the variety of the job that enables me to use my initiative on a daily basis. It is particulary rewarding and satisfying to me when I visit our clients and carers and see what a difference live-in care can make.
Our Carers
Our carers are brilliant and it is fantastic to see the relationships that they build with their service users. They play an integral part in enabling our service users to stay in their own homes and they always do this with respect, consideration and determination.
About Me
I am a very positive person with a good sense of humour. I am a calm and very caring person who enjoys a new challenge. I like to keep an open mind about life and love being around my friends and family.
I am a bit of a film fanatic and love a good comedy or any horror movies. I also enjoy listening to music and think of myself as a very creative person as I enjoy painting and design in my free time. I also like to keep fit and really enjoy socialising with friends.