A support worker in South Shields went from working for a fast-food chain and sleeping rough to receiving an award from a national care provider. Mick Sowerby, 49, spent most of his childhood in care and started his career working in catering.
After attending youth training schemes, he moved to London to find work, sleeping under a bush before finding suitable accommodation. A year of jobbing in different fast-food restaurants decided him that the industry wasn’t for him, so he applied for a job in a residential school that supported children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
After a short-term agency job in child protection for social services covering the North East ended, Mick joined the team at Fairholme. It's a residential care home in South Shields supporting adults with mental health issues which also provides care for people with learning disabilities and autism.
