Care Worker in London, UK, 2018
Kelly, a care worker, is on one of her home visits, helping Paul with things like changing his pyjamas.
Small acts like this are essential, but practical support only goes so far.
Kelly and the many others who do this work know that caring is an attitude as well as a set of tasks, that they are dealing with human beings and not just ‘service users’.
But the schedules they work on are often so tight that they have little opportunity to show the compassion they feel.
The project went on to become a finalist in the Wellcome Photo Prize 2020.
From Care Work to Storytelling
When I moved to London, I sought a meaningful part-time job alongside my photography.
Becoming a care worker seemed ideal—I enjoyed connecting with people, hearing their stories, and exploring the city.
I got a job in Newham, cycling from home to home to support men with their daily needs.
However, after three months, I left due to poor working conditions that made caring challenging.
This experience inspired me to create a photo series celebrating care workers and the often overlooked stories of their dedication.
