Our marketing department recently welcomed a fresh face to the team. Based at the Warwickshire head office, Rebecca Giddings helps to spread the word about home care services across the west of England and South Wales.
From her initial interview through to going through an extensive training programme, Rebecca has learnt a great deal about home care in a relatively short period of time. We caught up with her to see how she’s found her experience so far and hear some of her highlights.
First impressions mean everything
“From the moment I submitted my application (which was very quick and easy to do) I was reassured along the process that they were a company who puts their employees first,” Rebecca shares. “Within a week, I had a date for my first interview with the Director of Sales and Marketing, Lindsey, and the Head of Marketing, Cleo.
“It was really relaxed and informative,” she adds. “Rather than firing questions at me, they both wanted to share their passion and knowledge of the organisation, and I got the impression they really wanted to get to know me and ensure a good fit for their team – I knew from this point that this was the company I wanted to work for.”
Following her first interview, Rebecca then had the somewhat daunting task of preparing and presenting her own marketing project based on one of our visiting care branches. Despite her nerves, Rebecca put on a great presentation and was put at ease by having a supportive and encouraging audience.
“The next day I got the news: I had the job! I was so excited!”
The thoughtful little touches
Armed with a welcome pack and enough notes to write a novel, Rebecca walked through the door on her first day, confident that she had everything she needed and was eager to get started. There was, however, something else waiting for her as she arrived.
“I was met by a sign welcoming me personally to the team at reception and a welcome pack of goodies and information on my desk,” Rebecca explains with a laugh. “It was the little thoughtful touches like these that made me confident I’d made the right choice in joining Helping Hands!
“I had none of the usual new job teething problems that you come to expect on your first day. I had a desk, a computer, my email was set up, my induction schedule was already in my email diary and every meeting that was booked for me went ahead. What a novelty! You’d be surprised how often you don’t have any of these at other places.”
One team supporting each other
With a full introduction to the various departments at the Helping Hands head office, meeting carers during their training and journeys to visit branches and their managers across her region, Rebecca certainly had a lot to take in during her first few weeks. However, she says she loved every moment!
“The first week was a great introduction to Helping Hands,” she reflects. “It ended with a personal one-to-one meeting with Tim, the CEO, whose passion for the business and care as a whole is truly inspiring.”
Rebecca’s birthday fell within her second week. This, of course, means cake! She spent the week getting to know her colleagues and shadowing one of her marketing mentors. With a lot to keep track of, Rebecca had the support of her colleagues who explained everything she needed to know.
Then came an “epic but exciting” week of train journeys and official branch openings. “The branch openings were a fantastic opportunity to meet more local teams, managers, carers, local dignitaries and customers over sandwiches and more cake!” she adds. “The fact that managers from other branches and the CEO both attend these openings shows how Helping Hands is one team all supporting each other.”
The following week was a flurry of meetings taking place alongside clinical care training; Rebecca describes the high level of training our carers go through as “amazing” and found it fascinating to learn the different skills that they develop. Her first month concluded with more branch visits and learning about the support we give our carers when they’re out supporting families across the country.
Now fully settled into the marketing department, Rebecca is excited about what the future has in store for her as part of a creative and supportive team.
If you’d like to join the marketing team, we currently have a role available for a Marketing Manager based in Alcester, Warwickshire. Do drop us a line if you’re interested.
