An Army veteran has switched careers from the military to the care sector – and has found the two are surprisingly similar.

Harry Garston, of Joydens Wood, spent four years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as an Infantry Officer based abroad in Germany, Cyprus and Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick.

Harry Garston tells how his military training transfers into care

Through his role, he was involved in leading his troops in various situations wherever they were needed including in the barracks, on exercise and on operations.

He left the military in 2014 and started working at his family's business in electrical engineering before he stumbled upon the care sector.

He said: "I came into the care profession almost by accident but it did not take long for me to fall for the job and the residents I worked for.

"What attracted me was that it was a challenge. I knew nothing about care, nothing at all. It was a complete change.

"When I was working in engineering, I grew up with it and knew about the industry and sector. Social care – I did not have the foggiest.

"I expected the people to be really lonely and depressed but they are just living their lives to the full. I just thought it was amazing and I have not looked back since.

"To come from somewhere like the army, we are still caring for people. We are just trying to give people a better standard of living."

Harry, who started as a home admissions advisor in 2016, did not initially realise how he would be able to use his military skills in everyday life.

He said: "It looks really, really different. Some days I think 'how did this happen?' But there are so many transferable skills from the Army. My bread and butter was heading a team and in all the three different sectors, that is what I have done.

"It is 'how can I use my skills to make sure our residents have the best quality of life?'

"I would never have imagined I would be running a care home but I am a caring person. Every day I get to lead a team and I get to interact with the residents, which is fantastic.

"I think the thing that ties in is the values and that very much aligns with looking after people. The same as in the military, you are always looking to look after something and you are doing it because you want to make something better. This is exactly the same here. We are always looking at how we can change residents' lives.

"You are doing all you can to use your skill sets to make a situation better, whether that is an operation in the military or in a care home."

The former officer has now worked in the sector for six years and has just taken on a new role at Birchwood Heights in Swanley. It will be his third managerial title.

He says that to work in care you need to have the right attitude and it is not always about the level of experience: "You get a lot of people who will not put their CV in because they do not know what they have to offer. When I left the army I wouldn't have either, as I did not know what I had to offer the civilian world.

"I think the last couple of years have thrown a light on the amazing work care staff do and while it can be hard work, the rewards are endless. It is never just a 'job'; the care sector gives you great opportunities to develop a career and I am a good example of that.

"Previous experience is not necessary for roles like care assistants – we can provide full training – but what you cannot teach is care and compassion. People might have cared for a relative, brought up children or just have a caring nature."

Birchwood Heights in Hilda May Avenue, Swanley, is a new home, which is currently in its final stages of completion. Staff will be welcoming their first residents by the start of May.

The home has taken around two years to design and build, and will span three floors offering all-inclusive residential, nursing, memory and respite care for up to 77 people.

It will offer facilities including a cinema room, hair and beauty salon, a barber’s, air-conditioned lounges, a dedicated consulting room for health appointments and garden areas.

Initially, at least 30 new jobs will be created, reaching more than 100 when the home is fully occupied. It will also support apprenticeships and work placements.