- What is your name, how long have you been working for Help & Care?
My name is Tracy Pike, and I am a dementia coordinator. I have been working with Help and Care for 5 years in various roles. - Why did you decide to join Help & Care?
I was working within a surgery that started the Help & Care Social Prescriber role and helped them to set up the service. I could see the care, kindness, and values that the services provided and delivered. - What does a normal day look like for you at work?
The first part of the day is looking at what dementia referrals I have received from the memory triage team and any messages via email or telephone from clients or functional partners. I have scheduled calls or home visits with clients who have just been delivered their diagnosis of dementia. We conduct calls to do a first assessment to answer any questions and concerns. We cover the clients’ care needs and benefits and provide information on dementia and the local services that support dementia clients. This entails working with the Memory Assessment team, Adult Social Care, surgeries, care coordinators, link workers, and other charities. We provide carers support to the carer and wider family members linking into carers support groups and entitlements. - What do you enjoy the most about your work? What inspires you the most about your work?
Making a difference to a client’s life and their family to help them see a way forward in dealing with dementia. Getting the right support and help to make life a bit easier and to see a way forward. - What word would your team use to describe you?
Passionate, caring, and kind. - What’s your favourite memory from working here?
Being recognised and nominated as the UK Social Prescriber of the Year 2021 for my engagement and leadership in developing strong relationships in the community to support clients’ needs. The outcome was that we reduced the number of calls to the local ambulance, police services and surgeries by supporting social care as the ‘go-to person’ to help clients navigate the local services and support in the community. - How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I love nature and walking along the beach or hiking in the Dorset countryside. Travelling and experiencing new cultures and exploring new countries. - Why should someone want to work at Help & Care?
If you want a rewarding career where each day is different and, at the end of the day, you have “made a difference to someone’s life”. This gives me job satisfaction knowing I have supported the client and family through a difficult time. The training and support at Help & Care are there to give you the opportunity to develop your skills in social care, delivering positive outcomes. I have done various roles in Help & Care to grow my knowledge across all their services in East and West Dorset.
Meet Tracy: Supporting People with Dementia Across Dorset.
For Tracy Pike, supporting people isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. As a Dementia Coordinator with Help & Care, she works closely with individuals recently diagnosed with dementia, helping them and their families feel supported, informed and empowered from day one.