Robert's Natural Transition Into School Caretaking
Robert found TIB Services through the Rest Less website and, having previously worked as a caretaker for Sheffield City Council, saw school caretaking as a natural next step. Although he hadn’t worked in a school before, he felt his existing skills would transfer well and was confident he could do the job. Based on his past experience of working with maintenance teams, the "odd-job" nature of the school caretaking role appealed to him as it gave him complete ownership of the role.
The Importance Of Remaining Active
Robert’s involvement in walking football shows the importance he places on being part of a community and maintaining regular connection with others. That sense of commitment and belonging reflects the qualities TIB Services values, while also highlighting how roles like school caretaking can suit people who enjoy staying active and engaged in their local area.
More Than Just Maintenance
Robert says it’s more than just maintenance because the role is also about being part of the school community. He explains that he asked if he could introduce himself in an assembly to let the students and staff know to come say hello and just act as normal around him.
He says he gets involved with staff and children, enjoys the friendly atmosphere, and values the small interactions like saying hello, getting high fives, and feeling appreciated by everyone in the school. The feedback he is receiving and acknowledgment from the Head of Estates make the job very rewarding for him.
Flexibility That Works Around Life
For Robert, the flexibility of the role has been one of its biggest advantages. Working split shifts means he starts early but has a long break in the middle of the day, which gives him the freedom to fit in appointments, run errands, or help out at home without needing to take time off work. He says this kind of arrangement suits him well at this stage of life, especially because it allows him to balance work with other responsibilities while still finishing at a sensible time each day.
Robert's Experience With TIB Services
“TIB Services have been brilliant,” Robert says. “They’re always on hand, nothing is too much trouble, and if I make a mistake, they talk me through it without getting annoyed. Everybody I speak to is very professional and polite.”
Robert has found the support from TIB Services to be excellent throughout his time in the role. He describes the team as professional, polite, and always on hand to help whenever needed. Even when he’s made mistakes, such as with expenses, he says the team has been patient and quick to talk him through things without making him feel uncomfortable. For Robert, that level of support has made a real difference and helped him feel confident and well looked after.
Robert's Advice For Going Down This Path
Robert recommends school caretaking because he sees it as a job with real satisfaction and very little downside. He describes there being "nothing negative" and says that if you’re given a task and complete it, it feels brilliant. He believes people who are unsure should “go for it” because the role is supportive, varied, and manageable.
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