Footballer and Miss England contestant hangs up boots and sash to become care worker

A Miss England contestant and professional footballer has hung up her sash and boots to help the vulnerable in her Worcester community by becoming a frontline care worker.

Erin Smith, 18, joined Caremark Worcester & Malvern Hills as a care worker after she lost her other part-time job at a coffee shop when the country went into lockdown.

Ms Smith said: “I got myself a job as a care worker for the elderly in my area and I absolutely love the job. It gives me so much joy because all my clients are absolutely lush.”

Her PPE is a bit different to her pageant attire and football strip as she wears a face mask, gloves, apron, and face shield during her shifts.

Ms Smith said: “Some think the PPE is funny and over the top but obviously you can't risk giving the clients anything.”

The hardest part of the job is seeing how lonely the clients are

The Miss England hopeful admitted parents Mo, 54, and Tony, 50, who she lives with, were initially worried about her working on the frontline.

Ms Smith said. “Mum and dad were worried because they didn't want me catching anything, but we don't have anyone vulnerable in our family.” She also added: “My friends said I was crazy when I signed up.”

Ms Smith said the hardest part of her new career is seeing how lonely the clients are.

“The most difficult thing is not being able to spend a lot of time with them, especially if one of them is having a bad day.

“I set up a zoom call on my laptop for one lady so she could see her grandson, and she cried.”

Ms Smith assists one client with cooking, cleaning, washing, and shopping and there has been a real positive change since she has been visiting him.

Since she was four-years-old, Ms Smith has played football and has been part of the England Colleges squad at an under-18 level, she has played for West Bromwich Albion and Coventry United before she took time off to recover from an injury.

The centre back was then forced to temporarily hang up her boots when all professional football was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Ms Smith has also entered the Miss England contest: “The only lady I told about the competition really encourages me. She thinks it's amazing.” Ms Smith also submitted videos and images of herself to the Miss England YouTube channel catwalking in her garden and showing off her football skills to earn her place in the beauty contest.

The Miss England Midlands semi-final was due to take place last month at Resorts World in Birmingham, but due to lockdown restrictions the contest is being held virtually instead, with the public and judges selecting winners who will go through to the final.

Organisers are currently unsure whether the grand final, due to be held on 31st July will go ahead physically as this may also be held virtually too.

Ms Smith said: “The reason I entered the competition is because I thought it would build my confidence, but I understand why we can't do it on stage with an audience.

“Doing it virtually is a bit different, but I do not mind. I cannot wait to get back into football, though. My dad loves that I'm into it and supports me so much, but I've had to do a lot of Joe Wicks PE lessons instead to keep fit.”

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