As a teenager Shannon Causby headed north to start a new life in Shetland and began studying an Introduction to Care course. A decade on, she’s an experienced senior social care worker and continues to develop her professional skills.
It was 2013 when Shannon Causby hopped on the NorthLink ferry from Orkney with ambitions of settling in a new island community.
After a decade of living in Shetland, it’s fair to say she has achieved that goal. She has also seen her career grow, with new opportunities emerging, thanks to working in a supportive environment where training and professional development is valued.
When Shannon first arrived, she took the opportunity to study social care work and as part of the course she secured a placement at the North Haven Care Centre in Brae, the largest community in Shetland’s North Mainland. She still works there, although her career has progressed significantly – as a senior social care worker she supervises staff and is studying again to improve her vocational qualifications.
It's indicative of what can be achieved working in care and Shannon says it has been a rewarding and fulfilling career, that she’d recommend to others.
While studying Shannon says she “quickly realised I wanted to work with the elderly, it just suited me”. Over the years, she has worked with scores if not hundreds of people, providing care and offering support to their families. That was particularly gratifying during the pandemic years.
We know these people so well and giving them a better quality of life is so rewarding, knowing you’re making a difference.
“It is so rewarding. The covid period was a real eye-opener. Residents were seeing us more than their family members. It’s like one big family.
“We know these people so well and giving them a better quality of life is so rewarding, knowing you’re making a difference. It is about supporting family as well because having a loved one in a care home is not easy. But is we can make sure everything runs smoothly and the family is happy, it’s a great feeling.”
In personal and professional terms, Shannon’s progression to senior grade has been satisfying, too. “In the senior role you’re helping staff progress as well. Telling my story of how I started at the bottom and now I’m a senior, it proves you can do it if you’re willing to work hard.”
If there’s a sense of “family” among the staff and the people they care for, there’s also a great spirit between the workforce, says Shannon.
“The camaraderie is amazing, especially for me not being from Shetland, I have always felt welcome, and being younger I’ve never felt anything but welcome.
“It can be hard to come into a place where you’re not originally from, but Shetlanders have been nothing but nice to me.”
That applies to colleagues and the wider community, with Shannon involved in life in Brae. “When I moved to Brae I quickly got added to their ‘Privately Brae’ Facebook page, that makes you feel welcome.
“There’s lots going on and there’s different stuff advertised on Facebook all the time in Brae, Lerwick, or wherever.
“Then you get to know people in the shop. There are always people saying, ‘Hi’, it’s just a very friendly place.”
There’s lots going on and there’s different stuff advertised on Facebook all the time in Brae, Lerwick, or wherever.
Brae is in the Delting district, and like many parts of Shetland, the area has its own Up Helly Aa, with the Delting festival taking place in March.
“Our care centre, we have a squad in Delting Up Helly Aa and the Jarl’s Squad always comes and visits the care home during the day.”
The Vikings even performed their songs in 2023 – although restrictions prevented them from entering the premises, windows were opened as the squad sand and danced outside.
Community activities also take place on annual “Come to Brae Days”, with residents making items for sale, and fun activities put on outside. “The community is very much involved with everything, and we try as a care centre to be involved in everything.”
There is an undeniable sense that Shannon is content in her work and community, and she’d recommend social care to others seeking a rewarding career with opportunities for progression.
She has been able to learn new skills on the job and is currently working towards SVQ Level 4, which she says will open the door for new opportunities should she wish to pursue them.
After securing her first placement at North Haven, Shannon has been there ever since, although she has worked in different centres as relief, to expand her experience. Anyone wanting to follow a similar path may consider a Modern Apprenticeship, which gives the opportunity to earn and learn. However, there are other options to begin a social care career as a relief worker and pick up new skills through doing the job.
“The sense of reward is great, and for your own progress in life there is so much opportunities and advantages to social care work.”