WeCare Wales Ambassador Blogs: Cheryl Doster

My role

I am an Intermediate Care Supervisor.

What I love about what I do

I love supporting individuals to regain independence after an illness or operation. We focus on promoting independence rather than creating dependency. I also enjoy how therapists support Intermediate Care staff with the Calderdale Competencies, which are signed off through observation. This allows staff to assist with mobility and memory programs led by therapists, promoting their professional growth and enabling them to apply for Risk Assessor and Occupational Therapist Assistant roles when available.

What I am most proud of in my job

I'm proud of the outcomes we achieve. We have a strong teamwork ethic and collaborate with reablement therapists to create personalised mobility and memory programs for individuals. This helps the receivers of care to achieve their goals and builds their confidence in overcoming health challenges like hip or knee replacements. Our service also helps prevent bed blocking in local hospitals by providing Intermediate Care and Reablement Care packages within a four-hour period through our Stay Well @ Home team, who work in A&E departments.

The most rewarding part of my job

The most rewarding part of my job is receiving feedback, compliments, and thank you cards from individuals who have successfully maintained their independence and dignity after a period of ill health. Additionally, the positive feedback from families who are grateful for our efforts in promoting their loved ones' independence is incredibly inspiring. The outcomes and goals achieved are so inspirational.

The moment I’ll always remember

One memorable moment was helping an 85 year-old woman who had broken her hip while pegging washing on the line. After undergoing a total hip replacement, our Intermediate Care services and Reablement therapists devised a unique mobility program for her. Within six weeks, she regained her independence at home. She had lost confidence using public transport, which she enjoyed before her hip replacement. Our Reablement Therapists extended her care for an additional two weeks and even accompanied her on the bus to help her regain confidence. She resumed her community activities and social inclusion, and four years later, she continues to enjoy these activities at the age of 89. This experience made me immensely proud.

Why I work in care

I work in care because every day brings something new and different. I love meeting people and hearing about their life stories, interests, and hobbies. It is truly inspirational to see individual’s goals and outcomes being achieved. I feel honoured to work with such a fantastic team. Our Mobile Responder team, working alongside lifeline, has significantly reduced the pressure on the Welsh Ambulance Service. Within the first nine months of operation, we saved 1,119 unnecessary call-outs with WAST, which was and continues to be a phenomenal achievement. Onwards and upwards!