Meet Ashley

Ashley had worked in kitchens since he was 15, but after many years as a chef he decided it was time for a change. Keen to take on a more flexible role that put his passion for helping people to good use, he joined ECL as a Community Care Assistant and is confident that he’s found the recipe for success with his new career in care…

The best part of working for ECL is knowing that I’m helping people

At 15, Ashley started working in a professional kitchen as a porter and after finishing college became a full-time chef. He spent several years doing long, anti-social hours and the gruelling schedule eventually began to take its toll. In pursuit of a better work/life balance, Ashley decided to investigate other career options and found himself drawn to care jobs where he could put his passion for helping people to good use.

Ashley says, “I’ve been in kitchens since school, but being a chef was demanding and meant working long hours which left me with little time for friends and family. Although I enjoyed the work, I knew I needed to get some balance back and was also really keen to do something to help others. Jobs in care seemed to tick all my boxes and while searching online I came across ECL.”

A vacancy for a Community Care Assistant (CCA) position caught his eye and he was pleased to find that no previous experience was required. “I was a bit concerned that I might not be able to make the move into care having come from a completely different industry, but ECL provide full training and seemed more focused on the transferable skills I could bring to the job during my interview,” says Ashley.

Since joining ECL, Ashley has completed a raft of training and been well supported by his colleagues. He says, “It’s been interesting coming into a large company from a small, independent business but everyone I’ve met has been so generous with their time and help whenever I’ve needed it. After just six months, I’d grown in confidence to the point that I felt ready to apply for promotion to a Trusted Assessor (TA) role – I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the challenge ever since!”

For Ashley, making the move from catering to care has been life changing and he is already eyeing further progression. “It’s been eye opening to see the range of roles available within ECL, and I’d love to continue my professional development here. I know my team would support me 100%,” he says.

“Whether a CCA, TA, or in any other position I might take on, the best part of working for ECL will always be knowing that I am helping people. It’s rare to find a workplace where every day is this rewarding, and I’d recommend it to anybody.”

For more information about current vacancies with ECL, visit the careers page and start your journey in care today.