Working Life: Client-centered approach to caring for the elderly 

Natali Kocijan a professional carer from The Great Care Co-Op (TGCC), Photograph Moya Nolan

Natali Kocijan, professional carer, The Great Care Co-Op (TGCC)

“I came across The Great Care Co-Op when I saw an advert looking for carers in a supermarket in Dalkey during covid. I had been working as a carer for a big agency but sometimes it was hard to get the support I needed for both myself and the clients. I wasn’t sure if the Co-op ad was real — it sounded too good to be true but it was genuine.

“TGCC’s model of home care is based on the Dutch Buurtzorg model, which revolves around small, self-managing teams who decide how they organise their work and share responsibilities and decision-making. It’s a not-for-profit social enterprise and any profits made are reinvested back into the organisation, giving the employees better wages and benefits than traditional carer models.

“I joined the co-op three years ago — we are the only carers’ co-op in Ireland — and what I really like about it is that it’s client-centric. That’s not always the case. Some models are task-centric, where carers are given specific tasks, not necessarily tailored to what the client needs. Our model gives us the professional freedom to support a client’s specific circumstances.

Natali Kocijan a professional carer from The Great Care Co-Op (TGCC), Photograph Moya Nolan

“The co-op was set up by migrant women working in the care sector in Ireland as a worker-owned business to combat low wages, workplace exploitation, and discrimination. It’s evolved from a single hub in Dalkey to four hubs in the wider Dublin area. Our goal is to grow and cover the whole country.

“As well as providing private care, we are an approved HSE provider. We’ve developed good relationships with public health nurses. They see how well our care model works for the client. It can start out as companionship and evolve from there. A family might be concerned that their mother has stopped going out since her husband passed away. It could be as simple as going to the shop with her. The client gets to know and trust you over time, and it makes the transition smoother if other health issues arise down the line and they require a higher level of care.

“We work with older people, which I love. I’m from Eastern Europe, so it’s very interesting to hear their fantastic stories about how Ireland once was. It’s such an honour to work with them — it’s the best job you could have.”