Emmerdale actor has become a home care worker

Nikki Hellens never dreamed when she acted out the role of a nurse in the soap Emmerdale, that one day she would in reality become a care worker.

Ms Hellens, who has made regular appearances on Coronation Street as a midwife and as a solicitor and on Emmerdale as a nurse is now a home care and support worker for Caremark (Kirklees)

She says: “I saw various care companies advertising for staff and Caremark (Kirklees) responded immediately when I applied and I am so glad they did as I have definitely made the right choice. I am really loving the job. I have always been a people person, so this is a perfect job and knowing I am helping customers to remain in their homes is fantastic.”

Mother-of-two Nikki, who lives in Elland, West Yorkshire has been an actress for 24 years.

She says: “I joke that appearing as a nurse and midwife has prepared me well to be a carer but in all honesty, I think even when this is all over, I will probably continue in my care role with Caremark in between acting jobs. Caring provides the flexibility to enable me to do this but it’s generally also a job I really enjoy.”

Ms Hellens, 54, has already been filmed in her Caremark outfit, for a programme called Isolation; The Series which involves people all over the world recording clips of themselves in their home. This involved showing her getting ready to go to work.

“The video I appeared in was done as a thank you to all the key workers across the world so it’s very apt and now being a carer myself, it is also providing me great on-the-job research if I get a caring role again on screen!” she adds.

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