After raising her two children, Laura Wykman took on a new journey in her life to be a House Companion™ Support Worker at NewDirection Care, Bellmere, where she cares for 7 residents. It is a job, she says, that has fulfilled her dreams. 

Laura Wykman has a big heart. She loves to care for others. It’s an integral part of who she is – as a daughter, a mother, and now as a House Companion™ Support Worker at NewDirection Care (NDC), Bellmere.

Up until three years ago, Laura, 47, was a stay-at-home mum but when her children Tyler, 22, and Renee, 18, finally started to make their own way in the world, she decided to follow her own ambitions.

“My partner was always away because of his work and so it fell to me to be around as the kids went through their schooling,” says Laura. “As they grew up, I wanted something more, something for myself.”

Laura completed a Certificate Three in Individual Support, a course that took her a year to complete, and, two years ago, found herself applying to become a House Companion™ Support Worker at NDC, a job that has fulfilled all her dreams.

“When I was younger my mum passed away and then about six years ago my dad passed away too,” recalls Laura. “I haven’t spoken about that much, but I wasn’t able to be there to help look after them when that happened. I lingered on that for ages and ages.

“So, with my children grown up, I decided to study so that I could do something to help others, to try to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

The fact is that Laura loves the connections she makes with the residents at NDC. “I love caring for people and that is really important to me,” she says. “That’s why I do what I do, and I love every minute of it. Every day is different.”

Laura begins the day with the sun, arriving to start her shift at 6 am. She takes care of her seven residents throughout the day until 2 pm when another House Comanion™ Support Worker begins their shift.
That means Laura is responsible for breakfast and lunch as well as for helping the residents get ready for their day.

“I love making sure their needs are being met, not just as a group but everyone as individuals,” she says. “One aspect of working that I like the most is that I feel like I am a guest coming into their home to give them a hand. They are still welcome to do things if they wish. I’m just there to help if they need it.

“There’s a gym and a cinema and lots of activities. Part of my job is to help them get ready for whatever the activity is that day. It might be High Tea on Wednesday or Happy Hour on Thursday. And we take them along and spend the morning or early afternoon with them.

“I love listening to the residents tell their stories. Some of them tell jokes and they make me laugh. Others just have the most incredible stories to tell. It’s such a privilege to hear about some of the wonderful things they have done.”