Meet Jodie

Jodie has a degree in law and politics, but after working part-time as a carer while she studied, she realised that caring was her true vocation. Overcoming her nerves about changing course, she took a leap of faith and is now a valuable member of the ECL team with grand plans for her future.

ECL makes me feel like I’m a real asset to the team 

While completing her LLB in law and politics at the University of Essex, Jodie Packham began a part-time job as a domiciliary carer. She saw how much the elderly and other vulnerable people struggled with isolation and loneliness during the pandemic and wanted to do something to help, so she took on the role alongside her studies. After graduation, she made the bold decision not to pursue a law career, instead choosing to follow her heart and stay in the care sector.

When it came time to move on from her first role to pastures new, Jodie knew exactly where to look. Having been introduced to ECL as part of her job, arranging equipment for customers, she was already familiar with the nature of the business and confident that it could offer her the opportunities for progression she was seeking. She says, “I knew that if I wanted to stay in care for the long haul, I needed to find an employer that would help me grow and get me the qualifications I would need to succeed. I was sure ECL could do that for me.”

“I was a nervous wreck beforehand, but the second I walked into the interview I felt completely calm,” says Jodie. “The Local Business Managers (LBM) gave me so much belief in my ability to be a fantastic Community Care Assistant (CCA) and I left feeling sure I was the right person for the job.” Jodie’s instincts were spot on, and she was soon walking back through the doors as a fully-fledged member of the team.

She says, “I was overjoyed when I was offered the position, and my manager made me feel incredibly comfortable from the moment I arrived. Since then, the company has been so accommodating, my team have been great, there’s always someone willing to listen and everyone works so well together. ECL genuinely makes me feel like I’m a real asset to the team and I’m proud to be part of such an amazing company.”

Jodie has first-hand experience living with a disability and understands the challenges that many of her customers face. She says, “Working with a disability myself can be difficult, but ECL has made life so much easier. I don’t feel afraid to express my needs, and management has always been so responsive and accepting.”

This positive attitude is one of the reasons that Jodie credits the people she works with as being the best part of her job. “I am surrounded by people who care about each other and about the customers we support which is so refreshing,” she says. “I came to ECL wanting to take the next step in my career and I know that everyone will do their utmost to help me get where I want to be. As soon as I finished my probation period, my manager registered me for my NVQ Level 2 qualification and this is only the start of my journey.”

Jodie’s experience of ECL is one she’s keen to share with others. To anyone considering applying, she has this to say – “Don’t be afraid. Starting something new can be scary but ECL will make the transition smooth and comfortable, and you won’t regret taking the leap.”