A FORMER jewellery designer who decided to pursue a career change after caring for her father has told how she finds her new job hugely rewarding.

Mona Zahid enjoyed putting her creative skills to use by designing and making trinkets but looking after her dad when he was ill led to her considering a career in the care sector.

She joined Home Instead Renfrewshire and Barrhead in April last year, not long after the first lockdown was imposed, and is now encouraging other people to consider following a similar path if they want to help others.

“Being able to care for my late father made me realise that I would like to pursue this line of work,” said Mona. “I was hesitant in applying to be a caregiver at first, as I didn’t think I would be accepted, due to not having the skills for the role.

“When the pandemic hit and we went into lockdown, elderly people who were dependant on families and others for support found themselves cut off and alone.

“I wanted to help and I quickly realised I could use my life-learned skills, as well as skills from previous employment roles, such as youth work and community work, although most recently I was a designer and maker of jewellery.”

Home Instead Renfrewshire and Barrhead provides care for older people in their own home, helping them to live as independently as possible.

While many firms have been hit hard by the Covid pandemic, it has experienced a surge in demand for its services – and is now staging a recruitment drive.

The company has 10 care roles to fill, with those who have found themselves unemployed as a result of the virus crisis among those invited to apply.

Paul Armstrong, owner of Home Instead Renfrewshire and Barrhead, said: “We are dedicated to providing the most outstanding personalised care to all of our clients.

“Our caregivers come from an array of different professions and backgrounds but all have the desire to make a difference.

“We are keen to speak to people with the warm, kind and loving attributes we look for in caregivers.”

Anyone who would like to apply can call 0141 376 7330 or visit Home Instead.