​Before joining ivolve, Sharmila’s life looked very different. She had a strong management career, a thriving cake business and a clear sense of direction. But life has a way of redrawing the map when we least expect it.

In the months leading to her mum’s passing from cancer, Sharmila dedicated herself completely to caring for her - seven months of being her comfort, her advocate, her strength. Those months were emotionally heavy, but they were also full of connection and meaning.

A new beginning shaped by loss and purpose

When her mum passed away, the world shifted beneath her. Her business couldn’t continue due to a new coeliac diagnosis that meant she couldn’t safely keep baking, and her career no longer felt aligned with who she was becoming. She had emerged from the whole experience changed. But she also had clarity about what fulfilled her most: making someone’s life lighter, brighter, easier. She didn’t just need a new job - she needed a new purpose.

Sharmila said, “If caring for my mum gave me that much fulfilment, then maybe that was my calling.”

And so, with her husband’s support and a nudge from a family friend who worked at ivolve, she stepped into the unknown and joined us as a Support Practitioner, starting from the very bottom so she could learn the heart of the work the right way. 

Finding meaning in everyday moments

Within weeks, she felt it: this was where she was meant to be. The people she supported gave her purpose, connection, and what she describes as “something that’s hard to explain but feels good every single day.” 

What was meant to be temporary, quickly became a calling. And it wasn’t long before she knew she had found the work she was meant for. Sharmila said, “A month and a half in, I knew this was what I was supposed to do.”

One of her earliest and most meaningful memories comes from Blandford, a home in need of steady leadership and warm, consistent support. This is where her natural gifts stood out. She didn’t just support people day to day, she brought joy back into lives that had gone without it.

Her first change was simple but powerful: birthdays. None of the three men supported at Blandford had celebrated a birthday since childhood. So she made it a tradition - personalised cakes, themed decorations, family invitations, the lot! It's a tiny shift for most people. But it was a huge shift for them.

The joy those small acts created reshaped the home. And when she later left Blandford, one person wrote her a letter that she’s kept to this day, thanking her for the coffees, conversations, and companionship that “saved his life.” 

​In that moment, she realised she wasn’t just rebuilding her life. She was helping others rebuild theirs too.

​​Progression fuelled by passion and support

Six months into her role, leaders at ivolve could already see what Sharmila couldn’t: she was a natural leader. Her rapid progression wasn’t about ambition, it was simply about impact. And it wasn’t accidental.

​​She transitioned to Deputy Manager at Walnut House, and soon after became Registered Manager of both Byron Avenue and Walnut House, a meteoric rise built on empathy, grit and an ability to lift others up. 

Along the way, she took part in ivolve’s GROW Academy, a year-long development programme designed to help colleagues step into leadership roles with confidence. This academy became a cornerstone in her professional development. It brought together mentoring, skills development, reflective learning, and practical leadership training, creating a clear pathway for progression in social care.

Alongside formal development, she received hands-on mentoring from her then-Registered Manager, who gradually gave her responsibility, coached her through challenges, and helped her build the skills needed to step into management.

This combination of real-world experience, structured learning and strong mentorship accelerated her growth. And for Sharmila, it was transformative. She describes it as the moment she truly realised the kind of leader she wanted to be - someone compassionate, resilient, and ready to guide others forward.

Leadership shaped by compassion

Sharmila is fantastic leader, but its not just us that think that. Her team describes her as compassionate, calm and inspiring, but she describes them as extraordinary. A diverse group united by the desire to make every day meaningful for the people they support.

One of the most profound moments of her leadership came when a person supported passed away unexpectedly. He had no family and despite her team being heartbroken and scared, they stayed with him until the very end, saying their goodbyes, some even coming in on their day off, all while supporting the other people at the home through the loss without a second thought.

She recalls it as a defining moment and “the best evidence of resilience, passion and kindness” she has ever seen.

A future built on growth for her and her teams

Today, Sharmila’s hopes for the future are simple and powerful: to stay healthy, keep growing, building strong teams, and continuing to make a real difference.

She wants to shape environments where colleagues feel supported and where the people we support can achieve the dreams they once thought out of reach. And if her journey so far is anything to go by, she’s only just getting started.

In fact, she’s currently completing her Level 5 Leader in Adult Care apprenticeship, fully funded by ivolve, to deepen her leadership skills and take the next step in her career.

As well as this, Sharmila also feels deeply supported by ivolve personally too, especially while navigating a recent health scare herself. She describes feeling “cared for from every angle,” from her Area Manager to HR. That, she says, is what makes ivolve special: the people. 

Sharmila’s career journey shows what’s possible when bravery meets opportunity and when an organisation truly invests in it’s people.

Career development in care isn’t linear. It isn’t limited. And it certainly isn’t small. It’s layered with humanity, purpose and the chance to transform lives, including your own. At ivolve, stories like this aren’t the exception. They’re what we’re built for.

Inspired by Sharmila’s story? Start your own.

If you’re looking for a meaningful career with real progression, supportive training programmes, and the freedom to grow into your potential, we’d love to hear from you.

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