06 November 2023
Employee Spotlight: Meet Paul Moynihan from Claddagh House
Meet Paul Moynihan
Senior Support Worker, Paul Moynihan, has done it all during his decade-long tenure with Resilience Healthcare. Throughout his career, he has worked in both our Advanced Community Care and Social Care divisions and has worn many hats in the process. Paul initially studied Social Care at Waterford Institute Technology before beginning work with the ACC division as a Healthcare Assistant in 2012. These days, Paul works as a Senior Support Worker in our Social Care division in Claddagh House, County Galway. We recently caught up with Paul to ask him all about his storied career and what he’s up to these days.
“If Resilience ring, I answer the call.”
Can you tell us a bit about how your career began in the ACC division?
Paul: “I was there as a Healthcare Assistant. I learned a lot there because it was quite different to what I had previously done[...] But that was really good, and while I was with [the child I was caring for], I became his SNA (Special Needs Assistant) in school as well. That meant I was working for the Department of Education as his SNA by day, and then working as his care assistant in the evening. So, I had to put on two different hats!
After that, I stayed in the same area and worked for a little boy who had had several physical and intellectual difficulties. I was there for three and a half years, and that was a great experience and really fulfilling. He had a tracheostomy, and it was bittersweet because the aim was to always get that removed. And then when it was, we weren’t required anymore. So once that goal was reached, we had to say goodbye.
It's bittersweet as you grow to love them, too. And, like, the percentage of people who can successfully live without [a tracheostomy] is pretty small from what I know. Like this boy, his chances would be quite slim from birth—and he's flying! He's doing really well. I need to call in for a visit someday.”
“I've been employed by Resilience for a third of my life.
It is nice; it’s great. I love it.”
You briefly left Resilience, but then returned to work in both the ACC and Social Care divisions. Can you tell us about that?
Paul: “It was always in the back of my head that if I ever get a call from Resilience, I’m coming back. And I did! I was working for a young fella with Prader Willi Syndrome. That was really interesting. While I was working with him, I was also working nights with a little girl. So, [I was working] two nights a week with her, and then every second weekend with L., the boy with PWS.
L. is in Lemon Grove now, so again that was kind of bittersweet. Because when he turned 18, you know, he moved on. That's the nature of the job, but I think that it's very rewarding. It’s lovely to hear back from people about how our service users are doing in the next phase. And then I got the call from Aideen. And that's where it all started! A year to the day almost.”
Aideen: “We were really stuck. I called on a really good friend, who I knew wouldn’t want to see me stuck!”
Paul: “Aideen and I have known each other for years, and I got that call. And that's the way it is, for me anyway—if Resilience ring, I answer the call. Thankfully, you know, I've been employed by Resilience for a third of my life. It is nice; it’s great. I love it.”
“I don't really think of anyone here as
being just a colleague—we’re all friends. ”
A third of your life? You must enjoy your job!
Paul: “I've been here 11 years now this September. I have to say, I've enjoyed every minute. Like, the challenges are there, and the challenges are always going to be there no matter what. But the rewards are great. Like, just personal fulfilment, I think.
It's been quite an adventure. And I suppose meeting new people, service users and staff, you make great friends! Even here in Claddagh, like, I don't really think of anyone here as being just a colleague—we’re all friends. It’s lovely to be able to join the team here.”
And do you ever have any bad days at work?
Paul: “There aren’t any bad days, but there are bad moments. But there’s never been a day that I’ve finished up and been like—I’m not going back in. We’re all able to read each other quite well, so if someone is having a bad day, then we have a cup of coffee or sit down. You know, we all look out for each other.”
You seem really settled here in Claddagh House. But is there anything you miss from being a lone support worker?
Paul: “I miss the kids, obviously! And I miss their families too. Because you become a member of their family—you really do! You’re there so often that you spend more time with the family you’re working with than you do with your own family.
And I think when you're a lone worker, there's a lot of decisions you get to make. They’re very small, minor ones—nothing major. But making little decisions on the spot? I enjoyed the freedom of that.
But other than that, no. I like being part of the team here.”
“There are so many pros. There really are.
Whether you're working as a lone worker or as part of the team, know that you’ll always be part of something that's very special.”
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced during your career?
Paul: “This house is the biggest challenge I have had in my career—it’s a challenging house. But I love it for that reason. I like the challenge. And we've all faced the challenges and we've all felt it at times. At the moment, it's been quite tricky getting staff and things like that, but we're getting there. But like, I would never say the cons outweigh the pros of it.
And the nights are pretty busy—there’s a lot of paper involved! That’s not a complaint, it’s all necessary. But there can be times where it's like—I'm clocking out at 8:00 o'clock and at 10 to 8:00, I realise I forgot to fill in something!”
Do you have any success stories?
Paul: “I think L., the boy with PWS, is a really good example. Because it didn’t really hit me how much it meant to him to be going to Lemon Grove, I suppose because I was sad that was coming to an end. It didn't hit me until his mum sent me an e-mail. She said that if it wasn't for me and another staff member, L. wouldn't be going to Lemon Grove. And I think L. would be fine! But to hear that from a parent was really rewarding.”
Have you had any particularly tough moments throughout your career?
Paul: “I was working with another boy, P., who sadly passed away on St. Stephens Day in 2017.
I was with him for a year, maybe a year and a half. And I’ll never forget my last shift with him. There had been really bad snow, like really bad. I hadn’t been able to make it to work the previous day! So I hit the road, and it was pretty bad. There was this hill leading up to P.’s house and there were loads of cars slipping back and a tow truck came. But there was something in my head saying, ‘You have to get in there today’. So, I managed to get the car up the hill and got to the house. I remember P.’s dad came out and he said, ‘Paul, we didn't expect you to come in today’, and he gave me a hug.
And I always remember it was a really nice day we had together. Little did I know that was my last shift with him. But I do really look back fondly on it, because against the odds, I got in and got to have that really nice last day with him. I'm glad I didn't know because saying goodbye to someone is awful. So, I’m glad that the last memory I have is nice.
That’s probably the only time I’ve ever really felt like, ‘Ahhh, am I able for this anymore?’ Like, we don't start this work expecting to lose anyone. But that's the lowest low that could ever be.
But the success stories? They outweigh that bad. Like even here in Claddagh, the little achievements, very small things like R. going swimming, S. going horse riding. These kinds of things are huge achievements for the kids! So that's really rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining Resilience?
Paul: “Prepare to have a lot of fun! Be ready to face very rewarding challenges. Bring a part of yourself to the job, because the kids want to see who we are as people, our personality.
There are so many pros. There really are. Whether you're working as a lone worker or as part of the team, know that you’ll always be part of something that's very special.
I’ll put it this way if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn’t be here. That's one thing that I should mention: I'm so happy at this level. Because some people would say, ‘Oh, you’ve been with Resilience how long? Why don't you want to go higher? Not for me!’
So, here's the next here's the next 11 years!
Would you be interested in working at Claddagh House?
We have an exciting career opportunity available as a Residential Service Manager (Person in Charge) at Claddagh House. If you'd be interested in working with someone like Paul, please apply here.
