Hello, my name is Sara Matthews and I’m a Home Support Worker with Northwood Homecare.
Almost 15 years ago, I decided to find my niche in life. When a friend suggested working in home care, I didn’t have to think twice about it. Just the idea of it sounded so natural to me. I took the course offered through Northwood and have been here ever since.
When I entered this wonderful profession, I thought I would be the one helping people. But it turns out that it’s me who has learned so much from our clients. I love meeting such a variety of people and am constantly interested in different cultures. I love learning about new ways of living and have been fortunate to care for clients whose families have been very open about sharing their culture.
Northwood is a great company to work for and has always been very supportive. My job has helped me become a better person and has opened my eyes wider to life. I have challenging days once in a while and that’s okay. They help remind me that not everything in life runs smoothly all the time. The travelling aspect of home care is great. It allows me to get outside, take a breather and regroup before the next client. And I find not always knowing what my day will look like kind of exciting. It’s a little like sitting on the edge.
Although I love my job, my true passion in life is backpacking. I love diving into a new city and getting to know the locals and their customs. Since 2007, I’ve been to Ireland, England, the Czech Republic, Holland and Belgium. My next trip, which will hopefully be within the next two years, will be to Norway and Iceland; with an ultimate goal of someday visiting Russia.
I also enjoy my involvement with a street outreach program through Faith Tabernacle Church. Our team goes out on Friday nights between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. to lend a helping hand to whoever may need it. We provide supplies like hot chocolate, snacks, blankets or a listening ear. Over the years we have built many relationships and are constantly making new ones.
I’m a self-proclaimed hockey addict with my favourite team being of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins. I love going to a cottage and kayaking on the lake, or just being outdoors in general. I’m happy to know where I fit in both my career and personal life! Above all, for me, the most important thing in life is to be able to make a difference in other people’s lives.
