One of the things nursing home carer Tiffany Sims loves about her job is that no two days are ever the same.

One day she could be sitting with a resident listening to a piece of classical music they enjoy, another she might be asked to read a collection of favourite poems. And on other days, she might simply be needed to hold someone’s hand.

Tiffany found her vocation aged 18. Her sister worked in a care home and Tiffany went along to see what it was like.  She instantly fell in love with the job and hasn’t looked back since.

Tiffany, now 25, said: “I can truly say I love my job. It’s the best job in the world. Each day when I go home, I know I have made a difference to people’s lives.”

At school, Tiffany thought she wanted to be a veterinary nurse. She said: “As soon as I started going along to work with my sister, I had a complete change of heart. I just loved the work. I asked my sister lots and lots of questions about her job and she never had anything negative to say about it. I just knew it was the job for me. I wanted to help and to make a difference.

“The people I care for are old and all have different problems but they all become like my best friends. I care for them like I would want my own mum or dad cared for. When I go home after a day at work, I know I have helped people.

“Working in a nursing home, we do have residents who die and this is sad. But we have a really supportive team and when someone dies, we all help and support each other and feeling part of such a close team is one of the things I love about my job.”

Tiffany is now planning to work her way up the career ladder. She started as a care assistant and she is now a health and social care worker who is medicines trained. She is also close to completing an NVQ in health and social care. Previously, Tiffany has won a carer of the year award from her employer Graham Care, with the awards recognising great care and outstanding qualities.

Tiffany, who works at Woodchurch House nursing home, near Ashford, said: “Doing this role, I now have so much more confidence. Working with elderly people and people with dementia has helped me in many ways. It’s really helped me with anxiety and patience. I never used to be a patient person, now I can sit for hours on end.

“I would definitely recommend a career in care. I love knowing that I am making a positive difference to people’s lives and being there when they need someone most.”