From apprentice to supervisor, Kia’s journey at Emmaus House, Whitehaven, reflects resilience, connection and belonging. Having grown up around the home, she has spent almost a decade building strong relationships with staff and those who live with us, while navigating life and work with dyslexia and showing how, with the right support, people with learning differences can thrive in rewarding careers
For Kia, Emmaus House, Whitehaven has always felt like home.
Long before she joined the team, she was a familiar face around the home. Her nana Mary worked in the kitchen, her older sister was part of the care team, and later her grandparents became ‘family members’ (those who live with us). As a child, Kia regularly visited the home, joining in activities and spending time with family members.
"I've always been in the home since I was very young," she says. "My sister used to take me and my younger sister in to perform for the family members. I was really close to my Nana Mary, so when she moved into Emmaus House, I always knew I wanted to help look after her."
Although she studied Health and Social Care at college with aspirations of working with children, the pull of Emmaus House proved stronger. When her sister told her about an apprenticeship opportunity, Kia applied and was offered a position. In 2017, at just 17 years old, she began her career at Emmaus House as an apprentice.
Starting her first job was understandably nerve-racking. “I wasn't sure whether I'd enjoy it or not,” she admits, “but everyone was really welcoming and supportive." Those early nerves quickly disappeared. What stood out most was the atmosphere within the home.
"It's more like a family than a workplace," she says. "Everyone is close, and you always feel supported."
After completing her apprenticeship, she moved into a bank care role in 2018 before securing a part-time position later that year. By the end of 2019, she had progressed into a full-time care role and then into a supervisor position.
Today, Kia works as a Senior Carer and Supervisor, balancing hands-on care with leadership responsibilities.
No two days are ever quite the same.
Mornings usually involve helping family members get ready for the day, supporting personal care, breakfast routines and wellbeing. She also encourages participation in activities such as games, social events and outings, helping create moments of connection and enjoyment.
Kia also enjoys spending time with family members, helping with hair styling, nail care and makeup.
"I love helping family members get ready," she says. "Especially the ladies. I like doing their makeup, matching their jewellery and helping them choose outfits. Those little things can make a big difference."
Ask Kia what she enjoys most about her role and she is clear: “The family members.”
Over time, she has built close relationships with many of the people she supports and says she has learned a great deal from their life stories and experiences.
“You learn so much about life from older people,” she explains. “I've learned patience, kindness and not to take things for granted.”
One outing that stands out was a visit to a local fireworks display. At the time, Kia's Nana was still living at Emmaus House, making the occasion especially meaningful.
"We took the family members to watch the fireworks, and everyone was having such a lovely time," she recalls. "Being there with my Nana made it really special."
Emmaus House itself plays an important role in creating those experiences.
As a smaller home, family members benefit from highly personalised care and strong relationships with staff. It’s a close-knit environment where everyone knows each other well.
One of the most important parts of Kia’s journey has been learning to navigate her career while living with dyslexia. Diagnosed in primary school, she has always found reading, writing and maths more challenging.
“The supervisor role was probably the thing I was most frightened to do,” she admits. “I worried about counting medication incorrectly or getting things wrong.”
She developed strategies such as alarms, reminders and double-checking procedures, while also relying on teamwork and support from colleagues.
Looking back, Kia believes dyslexia has given her strengths as well as challenges. It has taught her perseverance, resilience and the confidence to keep moving forward even when things feel difficult.
"There have been times when I've thought I couldn't do something," she says. "But if you want to do it, you've just got to try."
Her experience reflects Pilgrims' Friend Society's commitment to creating workplaces where people of all abilities can succeed and feel valued.
Camilla Fitsum, HR Manager at Pilgrims' Friend Society, says: "At Pilgrims' Friend Society, we believe everyone deserves to feel valued and supported at work. We recognise that disability and learning differences such as dyslexia bring unique perspectives and strengths, and we're committed to making reasonable adjustments so that all colleagues can perform at their best.
"From the point of appointment, employees are given the opportunity to share any support needs with us, and their manager will follow up to put any agreed adjustments in place in writing. All employees also complete the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, helping us build a workplace that is informed, compassionate, and inclusive.
"For us, inclusivity isn't just a policy, it's part of how we live out our values as an organisation, treating every person with dignity and respect."
For Kia, that support has helped transform uncertainty into confidence and enabled her to progress into a leadership role.
Kia’s message to anyone with dyslexia or another learning difference considering a career in care is simple: “Don’t let anything hold you back. If you want to do something, learn and grow. Just go for it.”
Looking ahead, Kia has no plans to leave Emmaus House anytime soon. “I always say I’m going to be the next person who’s been here for 30 years,” she laughs. “I’m really happy here.
Fun facts about Kia:
· Her favourite way to enjoy a day off is going out for coffee, shopping, and enjoying quality time with her family
· She has recently purchased her first home
· She loves a nice cocktail in the morning during her summer holidays
This feature first appeared in the Autumn 2026 edition of The Pilgrims’ Magazine. See here.
Emmaus House is a 22-bed residential care home in Harrogate. We offer residential care for older people, including for those who are living with dementia. We can provide respite care to those who need it and we are able to offer care at the end of life. Our rooms are available over three floors.
At Emmaus House, all rooms are tastefully decorated, are fully furnished and have en-suite toilets and wash basins. We believe it is important that residents enjoy a feeling of homeliness, so each resident is encouraged to personalise their room with their own belongings.
Emmaus House has its main lounge on the first floor which overlooks the beautiful Valley Gardens. The ground floor dining room also overlooks the Valley Gardens along with a lovely conservatory and extra seating to enjoy socialising near the entrance hall.