Monika took part in one of the King’s Trust: Get Started with Salutem programme in August 2025. Since successfully securing a Support Worker role at Salutem, Monika has discovered a passion for working care.
Her journey highlights the impact of the partnership between Salutem and The King’s Trust. By providing young people with practical experience, skills, and career opportunities, the programme supports participants to take meaningful steps into employment while building confidence and discovering careers they genuinely love.
At Salutem, we are committed to increasing opportunities for young people and supporting the next generation of care professionals. Through our continued partnership with The King’s Trust, we’re helping more young people find rewarding careers where they can make a real difference.
Here, Monika shares her experience of the programme and her journey into care, in her own words.
From Insight to Opportunity
When Monika first took part in the Adult Social Care insight programme, she had little previous experience of the care sector. What began as an opportunity to learn more about Adult Social Care quickly became the start of a new career.
“Everything about the process was seamless, from onboarding to the delivery of the programme.”
From the very first day, Monika had the opportunity to meet fellow participants, service users and staff from across Salutem. Through conversations, shared experiences and team-building activities, participants gained a genuine insight into what working in Adult Social Care is really like.
The programme also gave Monika an unexpected opportunity: an interview for a Support Worker role.
“Truthfully, I had no idea that this insight would culminate in an interview!” she says. “Hearing this was nerve-wracking, but The King’s Trust facilitators put a lot of effort into preparing us as best as they could in such a short space of time.”
While the programme was intensive, Monika found that the preparation helped her feel ready to take the next step.
“By Day 4, I felt as prepared as I could have been for a role I had no previous experience in.”
A key part of that confidence came from the breadth of the programme. Participants were introduced to the foundations of working in Adult Social Care, from the day-to-day responsibilities of the role and relevant legislation to real-life scenarios, mock interviews and personalised feedback.
By the end of the week, Monika felt more confident not only about the interview, but about starting a career in care.
Ten Months Into a Career in Care
Now, ten months into her role as a Support Worker at Salutem, Monika reflects on just how much has changed.
“Less than a year ago, I knew very little about Adult Social Care. Today, I’m part of a team that makes a real difference every day, and I’ve gained skills and confidence I never expected.”
For Monika, being a Support Worker is a role that challenges her every day, but it also gives her the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people she supports.
“Practicing empathy, proactively making a difference in someone’s life, powering through challenges and still finding the motivation to continue showing up, are all skills that you will need to exercise each day.”
The rewards, she says, can be found in the moments that might seem small to someone else: a smile, a laugh, someone remembering her name, or seeing a person she supports achieve something she has helped them learn.
“Yet, a smile in return, a giggle, getting a service user to finally remember your name, or seeing them sign something you have taught them, are the most rewarding aspects of the job role.”
Bringing Your Personality into Care
One of the things Monika has discovered is that being a Support Worker isn’t simply about following a routine. It’s about getting to know the people you support, understanding what matters to them and finding new ways to help them thrive.
“Do not feel limited by or afraid of the Support Plans, I say as someone who definitely was.”
While she acknowledges that some days can feel similar, Monika believes this is where Support Workers can make a real difference.
“That is where you come in, and your energy, ideas, and personality matter.”
Whether she is planning an innovative activity, finding a more meaningful way to support someone or taking opportunities for her own development, Monika has embraced the opportunity to bring her own ideas and personality to the role.
Her approach is rooted in seeing the person beyond their routine.
“The people we support shouldn’t be defined by their routine, so don’t get stuck in them. The service users are just like you and me, and they need to be seen and heard, entertained, mentally stimulated, and I believe that this is how you will thrive in the job role.”
Learning Every Day
For Monika, starting a career in care didn’t mean she was expected to know everything from day one. In fact, ten months in, she is still learning every day.
Since joining Salutem, she has completed training in Epilepsy, Medication Awareness, Diabetes Awareness, First Aid at Work and Gastroenteral Training, with Oxygen and CPAP and Positive Behaviour Management still to come.
Having started the programme with no previous experience or knowledge of the care industry, this represents a significant achievement, and one that Monika is rightly proud of.
The training she has completed is an important part of ensuring she is equipped and confident to carry out her role and provide the best possible support to the people at her Day Service.
It also reflects the ongoing learning and development that comes with a career at Salutem. For Monika, joining the organisation has been about much more than securing her first role in care. It has been about continuing to learn, grow and discover what she is capable of.
Your Journey Could Start Here
Monika’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need years of experience to start a career in Adult Social Care. Sometimes, all you need is the opportunity to take that first step.
Through The King’s Trust Get Started programme with Salutem, participants can gain practical insight into the sector, develop valuable skills, build confidence and discover where a career in care could take them.
And, as Monika’s experience shows, that first step can lead to something much bigger.
“Less than a year ago, I knew very little about Adult Social Care. Today, I’m part of a team that makes a real difference every day.”
A Career That Makes a Difference
Starting something new can be daunting, particularly when you’re stepping into an industry you know very little about. But Monika’s journey shows what can happen when you’re given the right support, the right opportunities and the confidence to believe that you can do it.
From knowing very little about Adult Social Care to becoming a valued member of a team, building new skills and making a difference in people’s lives every day, Monika’s story is a testament to the opportunities that can come from taking that first step.
If you’re curious about a career in care, don’t let a lack of experience hold you back. Your journey could start with a single opportunity, and you might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
Find out more about The King’s Trust Get Started with Salutem programme and take your first step towards a career where you can make a real difference.
