Starting anew: Karolina’s journey from Lithuania into social care in Northern Ireland

For Karolina Vilkelyte, the journey to becoming a social care worker in Northern Ireland has been one of adaptation, resilience, and an unwavering passion for helping people.

Karolina is just one of the thousands of overseas staff who work in social care to provide excellent care to people who need social care and support all year round, whilst sharing their international expertise. She's sharing her inspirational story to help celebrate and value the diversity of social care which supports people in local communities during the winter months.

Originally from Lithuania, Karolina’s story is a testament to the courage required to start anew and the rewards of building meaningful connections in her chosen profession and care for her community.

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Karolina came to NI in November 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic. A trained physiotherapist with a university diploma from Lithuania, she quickly discovered that her qualifications were not recognised here. Undeterred, yet still wanting to work in a health and social care role, she sought out new opportunities and found her calling in social care.

“This was my first job in Northern Ireland,” Karolina recalls. “The system here was new to me, and I needed to get a lot of things put in place to work, like a National Insurance number. But I had a driving license and a car, and wanted to use my training, so I thought social care would be a great fit.

“I like working with people and communicating, I couldn’t sit in the one room all day. It also gave me a chance to improve my English by communicating with people daily.”

Karolina is a social care worker in the community with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, providing homecare to individuals in their homes and based in Lurgan. Her role involves helping clients with personal care, supporting their independence, and becoming a trusted part of their lives.

The transition to a new country and career was not without its difficulties. Learning English was one of her initial hurdles. Despite studying the language at university level in Lithuania, Karolina found it challenging to speak fluently at first. However, interacting with clients daily has improved her confidence and communication skills.

“I was a little bit afraid to talk in the beginning. I did learn English at university but it was the little phrases that people say here that were a little harder for me to follow. As time went on I just got better, doing this kind of work, interacting with the people I care for and their families, was really helpful for me to learn to communicate better.”

Talking about her social care work Karolina lights up: “Every single day is different,” she says. “Even if I visit the same houses and people, their emotions, stories, and needs are different. Sometimes, I’m helping someone prepare for a big event or sharing in their excitement about Christmas plans. It’s a privilege to be part of their lives.”

Karolina’s ability to form close bonds with the people she supports is a hallmark of her work. Visiting some homes multiple-times a day, she offers care, companionship, and practical assistance. Her work helps people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.

Another challenge has been balancing her past qualifications with her current role. While her physiotherapy background gives her valuable knowledge, she also knows that there are strict regulations and standards in Northern Ireland which means she must ensure she follows best practice when it comes to providing social care.

For now, Karolina is very content with her work in social care, which she describes as flexible and fulfilling. “Social care is exciting and never boring,” she says. “You get to meet so many people and even learn from them. It’s like being part of a big family and community.”

Looking ahead, Karolina plans to continue developing her skills. While she dreams of one day returning to physiotherapy and exploring her career options, she’s open to advancing within social care, potentially working towards taking on a supervisory role. Her experiences have taught her the importance of staying open to new opportunities and embracing the journey.

Karolina encourages others, particularly those who live in Northern Ireland but are from other countries, to explore a career in social care. “Don’t be afraid,” she advises. “It might seem scary at first, walking into someone’s home, but people need our help and support, and it’s rewarding to give it. Social care is flexible, and you can adapt it to your needs. Plus, you become part of the community and learn so much.”

Karolina’s journey is an inspiring example of resilience and dedication. From navigating a new country to making a difference in the lives of others, she has shown that with determination and a compassionate heart, it’s possible to build a fulfilling career while contributing meaningfully to the lives of those in need.

Her story is part of the ‘Social care – Making a difference’ campaign run by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) on behalf of the Social Care Collaborative Forum, a Department of Health (DoH) partnership across the social care sector in Northern Ireland.

Declan McAllister, Interim Chief Executive, Social Care Council, highlighted the importance of social care practitioners who have come from overseas: “Celebrating the diversity of each person who works in social care is something we all need to do. This includes social care practitioners who are from overseas, like Joshua. Many overcome obstacles such as cultural changes or social barriers, to become an invaluable part of our health and social care system.”

Agnes Lunny, CEO, Positive Futures, encourages anyone from overseas and living in Northern Ireland to consider social care as a career of choice.

“As an employer in the social care sector, I have seen at first hand the value that international workers have brought to our organisation. In addition to their skills and experience, our international workers bring language skills, cultural diversity, resilience and more to the lives of the people they support. Their dedication and determination to give of their best really shines through.”

If you want to find out more about how you can make a difference to lives with a career in social care, check out the campaign page.

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