A Lanarkshire man has proved that it’s never too late to change career and find the job you love.

Calum Hoey was a taxi driver when the pandemic hit and, at the age of 52, he found himself with no work.

However, his wife, Lynn, was a carer with South Lanarkshire Council and suggested to him that he take a temporary job delivering PPE to carers, as the service needed all the help they could get.

Doing so gave him a flavour of a Home Carer’s job, and he liked what he saw.

Calum, from Overtown, by Wishaw, said: “I enjoyed the people I met through taxi driving, but I didn’t enjoy the hours. I’m the sort of guy who can’t say no to anyone, so I was out driving all hours of the day, but you know what it’s like – it’s your job, so you just keep working away.

“Lynn had been advising me for years to consider home care, as she thought I would really enjoy it and, when I took on the temporary job after the taxi driving work dried up, I realised what she had been talking about all those years.

“I applied for a permanent position and two years later, I’m still loving it.”

One factor is consistent with Calum’s previous job, but there are now other aspects that make a big difference to his life, too.

He said: “Just as with the taxi-driving, I love the people I meet. They are fascinating to talk to, but it is also wonderful to feel that you are making a difference to their lives. There are practical benefits now, as well, such as the fact that I am now in a pension scheme for the first time in my life, which was a big attraction to me.

“But seeing more of my wife is a massive change for the better, as we are both on the same shift pattern. I am appreciating the simple things, like us sitting down together to relax at night, or doing the garden.

“It’s been a massive change for the better, enjoying my job and my home life so much, and I go to work every day with a smile on my face. I’d recommend it to anyone – whatever age you are, go for it!”

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care, said: “Calum is a great example of what we look for in our home carers, and what we have right across the Care at Home team – someone who is not only attentive, conscientious and hard-working in carrying out their job, often under challenging circumstances, but who also genuinely takes pleasure in spending time with the people they care for.

“But he’s also an inspiration to anyone considering this type of job but who fear they may have missed the boat for a career change. It’s never too late to apply and it doesn’t matter what age you are – if you’re the right person for the job, that’s what matters.”