“I just knew it was for me” - Hussain’s journey from hospitality to care award finalist

After leaving school with few qualifications, Hussain Ahmed began his career in the hospitality industry but always felt something was missing. 

He spent several years as a manager at a well-known pizza restaurant, but it was a friend working in care who inspired him to take the leap into the sector, where he discovered a career with more meaning and purpose. 

Safe to say, it paid off. Five years later, Hussain had worked his way from Support Worker to Relief Manager in Lifeways’ Mental Health division and was even a finalist in the Home Care Frontline Leaders category at the 2024 Great British Care Awards.

It’s the little things

Joining Lifeways as a Support Worker, Hussain quickly found his passion for care, acknowledging it was completely different from his experience in hospitality and not always easy, but entirely worth it when seeing the impact he had on the people he supported. 

“I just knew it was for me, it just felt right,” he said. “It’s the little things that mean a lot to the people we support that sometimes we might not even think about, even something like cooking a meal for themselves for the first time or going to an appointment on their own. It’s the little things that make the job so rewarding for me.” 

Proving himself time and time again, Hussain quickly climbed the ranks at Lifeways, becoming a Deputy Manager, then a Manager, and finally stepping into his current role as Relief Manager.

“When I tell my friends that I love my job, they always look at me confused because I suppose it’s rare to find something you get so much back from.

“I love what Lifeways stands for and I love the direction its heading in with its digital transformation. I think it’s the best time to be a manager for Lifeways.” 

Training and recognition 

As part of his development with Lifeways, Hussain completed a Level 5 apprenticeship in Leadership and Management, which motivated him to push even further in his career. 

“It made me feel incredibly valued, something I never got in hospitality,” he added. 

Armed with the knowledge from this course, he took a role at one of Lifeways’ services in Redditch that needed extra support. 

He explained: “I was promoted through a service in the West Midlands, starting as a support worker, then deputy and eventually becoming the manager. The service had been without a manager for several months and at the time the team were feeling worn out and overwhelmed."

However, after just three months, he managed to help turn the service around completely - creating a friendlier and more engaging environment and securing funding to improve resources.  

“Seeing the team go from being overwhelmed to feeling more confident and stable, and watching the whole culture shift, was incredibly rewarding for me,” he continued. 

This achievement led to his shortlisting, out of hundreds of entries, for the Great British Care Awards. Although he didn’t win, Hussain remains as determined as ever to continue making a difference in his role. 

‘This is the job for you’ 

To succeed in care, Hussain insists it takes not only patience but empathy, emotional awareness and consistency. While the job may not always be easy, particularly in mental health where recovery takes time, the reward more than outweighs everything else. 

“If you are looking for purpose, and you are looking to do something meaningful, then this is the job for you. 

“You are working with real people with real lives, and your attitude can help shape someone’s future.” 

If, like Hussain, you’re craving a career with meaning and purpose and think you have what it takes, search our latest opportunities. 

Hussain isn’t just anyone – and this isn’t just any job.