Caring for mum gave me a new career
Published 17 August 2010
Car rental company manager Steve Williamson gave up his job to care for his mother who has Alzheimer’s disease, but found a new and rewarding career as a result.
Steve, aged 56, from Hackenthorpe, worked as a self-employed courier so he could fit his work around caring for his 80-year-old mum, Marjorie, but after doing a 'coping and caring' course he began to think that a career in a caring profession was the right step for him.
Steve, married with two grown-up daughters, said,
'I'd signed up for the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run and agreed to speak publicly about my experience of dementia to help raise awareness. I mentioned it to the Alzheimer's Society press office and they suggested I look at their website to see if there were any vacancies.'
There was a vacancy. Unfortunately it was the last day of the deadline, but Steve was determined and phoned up to ask if he could still apply. He was successful and has now been working as an Alzheimer's Society Support Worker in Sheffield for three months.
Steve added,'It's been heartbreaking to watch my mum deteriorate to the point that she now needs the round-the-clock care that only a care home can provide. We've been lucky to have wonderful support services helping us and I'm proud that I can now contribute to that high quality of care. The funds raised from the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run will provide support for people with dementia and their carers. I'm thoroughly enjoying my new role with Alzheimer's Society and absolutely love what I do - I feel like I've found my vocation.'
Alzheimer's Society is the nominated charity for this year's Bupa Great Run series. The Bupa Great Yorkshire Run takes place in Sheffield on 5 September and there are still limited running places left.
Dr Graham Stokes, Bupa's director of dementia care explains why Alzheimer's Society was a natural choice to be the nominated charity:
'Alzheimer's Society and Bupa are working together across a range of projects to support people with dementia and their carers and to find a cure for the future, whilst improving their quality of life and care. Both organisations share a commitment to fighting dementia and a belief in the health benefits of exercise. Signing up to support Alzheimer's Society in a Bupa Great Run means you can get fit, helping reduce your risk of dementia whilst raising money for a very worthwhile cause.'
