‘I loved it from the word go’ – Susan’s story of caring for her community  over two decades 

For nearly two decades, Susan Corkery has been making a difference in the lives of people across her community in County Cork.  

Since she started as a Dovida Caregiver, she has supported clients through life’s ups and downs, helping them stay independent at home, providing companionship and reassurance, while maintaining their dignity.  

Today, Susan remains just as passionate about her role as she was the day she started. Like all Dovida Caregivers, she is a true star in her community, helping people live life their way in the place they most want to be - home.  

A true vocation 

Susan’s journey into caregiving began with a deeply personal experience of caring for someone she loved.  

“My grandmother was in a nursing home, and I spent a lot of time looking after her,” says Susan.  

After her grandmother passed away, a nurse who had seen the care and dedication Susan showed suggested she consider a career in care, and Susan hasn’t looked back.  

“I loved it from the word go,” she says. ”When I first started, it might have been bringing someone shopping, taking them to the bank or going for a coffee. With somebody else, it could be helping them get out of bed in the morning and get dressed.”  

Things changed for Susan when she started caring for people at the end of their life.  

“I just feel that’s my place,” she explains. “It’s a privilege to care for people during that time.  

A rewarding, evolving career  

Dovida provides care and support to people of all ages, and this brings great variety to the job.  

“Every client is different and every day is different,” says Susan.  

“I think the most rewarding part is seeing how people change throughout your time with them,” she adds.  

“I have one client who was a teenager when I started supporting her. She’s an adult now. You become part of someone’s life, and you go through all those different stages with them.”  

Susan says the same is true when supporting older adults.  

“When you first meet someone, they’re one person, but then you go on the journey with them. You see the different changes that come with ageing and you’re there to support them through it.”  

Supporting the community when it mattered most  

Across her 19-year career with Dovida, there have been many memorable moments, but one period stands out.  

Like thousands of frontline care workers across Ireland, Susan continued supporting clients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“I worked the whole way through COVID,” she says.  

“When I was asked if I would continue working, I said yes straight away. I never questioned it and I never overthought it.”  

Looking back, she is proud she was able to continue helping people during such a difficult time.  

“It was lovely to know that you could go out into the community and still look after people when they needed support the most.”

Honesty and reassurance  

Susan believes that providing great care is about more than practical support.  

For her, honesty and empathy are essential.  

“If a client isn’t feeling well, if they’re deteriorating, or if I notice something isn’t right, it’s important to be honest about that,” she explains.  

“Families need to know what’s happening, and the office needs to know as well.”  

She also understands how important it is to provide reassurance, not only for clients, but for their loved ones, too.  

“You want families to know that you’re there to help and to make that day a little bit better.”  

A supportive team  

While Caregivers are on the frontline supporting clients in the community, Susan acknowledges the support she receives from her colleagues in her local Dovida Cork South office.   

“They’ve been there from the word go,” says Susan. “From the first day I started, they’ve provided training that covers all aspects of care.  

“If a client has a particular need for example, they will zone in on that and make sure you get the proper training to be able to best support that person.”  

‘Go for it’ 

After 19 years in care, Susan has some simple advice for anyone considering becoming a Caregiver.  

“Go for it,” she says.  

“The friendships you make and the relationships you build with clients are incredible. There’s nothing like it.”  

Having worked in a range of different roles during her life, Susan says caregiving stands apart from them all.  

“I have worked in many different jobs, and nothing has come close to this. It is amazing.”  

Most importantly, she encourages new Caregivers to believe in themselves.  

“Trust yourself,” she says. “Trust your ability to be a good Caregiver.”  

For Susan, caregiving has never been just a job. It’s an opportunity to help people, build meaningful connections, and make a lasting difference in her community.  

And nearly two decades after she first started, she still loves every minute of it.