Granit Rudaj

Granit, who started at Sidegate Lane as a Domestic Assistant, shares how he climbed the career ladder to become Deputy Local Service Manager.

Granit Rudaj was a General Nurse in Kosovo before he moved to England with his wife in 2006. Unfortunately, his European qualifications were not recognised in the UK, so he applied to join Sanctuary Supported Living’s Sidegate Lane Nursing Home, which provides nursing care and support for adults with mental health needs, and began a new role as Domestic Assistant.

He said: “Working as a Domestic Assistant gave me an opportunity to improve my English as I started to build a rapport with residents, and really get to know them. It also gave me an insight into Care and Support at Sidegate Lane. As I watched my colleagues making a real difference to residents’ lives, I felt disappointed that I was not fulfilling my potential. I missed that gratifying feeling. Back home, I worked for eight months in a mental hospital unit. I thought to myself ‘Wherever I am in the world, I want to be supporting people and making them smile.’ From then, I kept a close eye on the vacancy board.”

Soon enough, Granit eagerly applied for a Care and Support Assistant role and when he demonstrated that he would be an asset to the Care and Support team with his good listening skills, enthusiasm, and empathetic nature, he sailed through the interview and was offered the job. Fifteen years later, Granit has only continued to develop by completing an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care and working closely with his manager on a personal development plan. He recently secured a promotion as Deputy Local Service Manager.