Every Kind of People: A Journey into the Heart of Care Work

by Kathryn Faulke

A memoir by a care worker told through her funny, heartbreaking, sometimes frustrating and always eye-opening encounters with the often overlooked and marginalised people she cares for

Kate Faulke never expected to become a home care worker, but when she left her senior role in the NHS, burnt-out and disheartened, she thought caring for people in their own homes would be a simpler job. With energy, compassion and clarity her memoir provides astonishing insight into this unsung, often poorly regarded profession, and into the hidden lives of the housebound and infirm. Despite being determined not to become too emotionally involved with her clients, Faulke soon found herself developing friendships, forging deep connections and bearing witness to the extraordinary drama to be found in ordinary lives. Every Kind of People is a celebration of humanity and of the life-changing impact of caring, on those administering it and on those receiving it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Medical

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an important read and one that was a huge eye opener for me. This book follows Kate, who after leaving a stressful job in the NHS, joins a home care agency to go into vulnerable peoples home and to help with probably a hundred different things they could possibly need from washing them, cleaning their home and cooking their dinner amongst an eternal list of many other duties.

From having a family member work in the sector myself I know how difficult and time consuming the job can be. Difficult because of the exhaustion from helping so many people a day and time consuming because seeing your clients in such a vulnerable state and knowing no human with a heart can leave them in that way.

My gramps was in a care home during the pandemic which was a tragic time but I never even thought about all of these carers dashing all over the country making sure all of these struggling men and women were able to survive too. How naive?

I can't quite believe how little praise Kate and her colleagues seemed to get for doing the almost impossible. I think the last page of this book basically comparing their worth to an under £1 hand cream OR lip balm is just the thing that sums it all up really. What MORE could they do!?

This was a powerfully written book that I hope gets a lot of recognition and lots of lessons learned from. I hope Kate and all other amazing carers like Kate get the gratitude they truly deserve and get a big thank you for all they do to keep vulnerable people in our communities going.

[Sylviaqueenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important Memoir. I worked as a midwife through the pandemic and know first hand of many of the challenges we faced within the NHS. I also supported an elderly parent at the same time, a scary and isolating period and even more so for those people who had no one. I say a huge thank you to all the care workers in the UK and for all the unsung work that is done daily. A massive thank you to Kate for highlighting such an important topic,

[Debby Binns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the BBC abridged version of this book and I was completely engrossed. The book is about life as a care worker and the storytelling style of her writing and her ability to see the real people she is caring for beyond what they have become in old age or illness was fabulous. As is her brilliant dry humour. This is a book about caring in today’s modern world – and I highly recommend reading it.

[Francis Pellow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the abridged BBC book of the week of this book. Even with the cuts, the heart and insight of the book shone through. I think I would like to read the whole book at some point.

[Emily Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and weirdly enough there are some elements of this book that I related to and reminded me a lot about my own job. The most relatable thing however was the message of never underestimating the power of making someone a brew🫀

[Yasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was chosen by one of my book clubs. It’s a memoir based on an NHS worker ( I believe she was a dietician) who moves into care work and details her experiences and reflections on the clients as well as those in her social circle.
As a clinical educator this was a good example of various levels of reflection and how to complete reflective entries for a portfolio. I also think it may be a helpful insight for those interested in vocations and care roles. However, like many of my fellow book club attendees, this felt much like a description of the challenges we encounter on a regular basis and for that reason I wouldn’t have personally chosen this book to read for pleasure.
At times the narrative was repetitive and monotonous. I wondered if this was intentional as there are aspects of the role which are by their very nature repetitive.
I don’t often listen to audiobooks as I prefer to read the text myself . However, for this book I found the audiobook enjoyable as it brought the various characters to life with different voices.
There were some key themes regarding public perceptions of care work and how responsibilities and expectations changed, particularly during the pandemic. Yet, the compensation for caring for the vulnerable in society is not comparative to the work done. I am aware of the work carers do and the change in society of caring for family moving to outside agencies for many reasons. Therefore, it did not feel new or change my views. Nevertheless, I think this is an important narrative which captures the time and challenges many health workers and carers have endured over the last few years and how the effects are still ongoing.

[Sahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t rate memoirs but this deserves all the stars. It was sad, warm, uplifting, heartbreaking and really makes you stop and think. It’s about the incredibly hard working, underpaid but selfless care workers but also about putting humanity first every single time.

The relationship between carer and patient is a deeply personal and intimate one. This one moved me.

[Ollie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book and an important read.

[Rebecca Hine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably everyone's nightmare, both as a job and as someone who needs the care. But a really humbling read into the essential work that is so badly paid.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming, devastating, funny, and sweet. I think this book should be on the shelves of anyone who wants a look into all of our lives in later years, an eyewitness account of undervalued jobs, and one woman’s journey into rediscovering meaningful work. I loved it.

[jolovesbooks]

Audio book on BBC Sounds.


Honest, insightful, moving and maddening (maddening because it shows how under appreciated care workers are).

[m d · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of me thinks that everyone should read this book about the unsung heroes of our age - carers; this book is touching, heartbreaking, sad, funny, compassionate, eye-opening. And then a part of me screams "PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES!", as I wonder how could a book like this be written, and what a pain in the backside sorting out all the consent forms must've been... 😅

[Kyleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Everyone likes to be needed but it seems that at the end of your days, the problem is finding someone or something to need you.”

Although a different sector, this memoir reminded me of my time working in SEN education and how exhausted I felt at the end of each day but couldn’t fathom leaving the students because I became a part of their lives, and they became a part of mine. Caring is truly a double edged sword because you don’t realize how much care someone needs until you try and do the same for yourself. Constant and never ending. I’m grateful for memoirs like this one to share with the rest of the world, and those who are privileged enough, just how much the world relies on caring individuals.

[Kirsty Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful account of one women’s experience of life as a carer. This book shares intimate insights into a world most of us know nothing about and maybe hide away from. Kate shares some funny and heart warming stories about a day in the life …. Whilst enabling the reader to maybe feel, explore and sometimes even taste the daily challenges she faces.
My favourite part has to be the moment she is cycling with the urban foxes as it reminded me of the small glimpse of wonderful in a stupidly horrible and tricky time.
Thank you Kate for a lovely read and I hope there will be more to come. We need to hear this honesty in order to encourage change.

[Ricardo Almeida Magaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the UCLH book club, and it was a truly captivating read. The author’s passion for her vital work shines through on every page, making this an emotional rollercoaster that made me laugh, cry, and deeply moved me by the stories it tells. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking book that, in my view, should be mandatory reading for politicians.

The only reason I’m not giving it a full five stars is that the pacing felt a bit slow in the middle sections. However, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring and rewarding time.

[Chromatic Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a an honest and truthful book about what it is like caring for people in their homes…I could relate to it because, of nursing experience and helping an elderly couple…her descriptions, the sights the smells took me right back to those times.
She is absolutely right when she says care work is hard hard graft, you certainly don’t do it for the money…I loved the stories about each of her customers, her warmth and compassion shone through especially with Greg, they had a wonderful connection, such a sad story, there should be more Kathryn Faulkes in the world, it was a great read.

[Violet Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the abridged version and it was so eye opening and emotional. Such a heartbreaking message behind the memoir that really makes you stop and think, the ending was so impactful and gives such an unexpected viewpoint. Also was nearly in tears at the authors note, shocking

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the important but often overlooked job of being a home carer. Underpaid and overworked, yet still able to provide care and support for an interesting set of elderly characters.

[Amberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started and finished date - 15.02.25 to 17.02.25.
My rating - Four Stars.
I really enjoyed really this book and I am interest working in care work job sector so this is book give me a look into expected in job sector. The writing was fine and paced of book was okay.

[Sorkunde · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars to the inner message of this book: care workers are a fundamental piece in the NHS system, yet underpaid and neglected. When I read that Kathy's bus ticket was more expensive than her hourly pay, I was outraged.
A patissiere or a chef's work is deemed of more value than a care worker - who takes care of physically or mentally impaired people.
Neo-liberalism has stripped off every bit of human value from 'non-productive' members of society. We are very much in need of a more 'caring' system.
On this note, I suggest reading 'The Care Manifesto'.

[Poppy-Jayne Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

BBC Sounds audiobook. An important read, care work is so essential and this was heartbreaking and insightful

[RM Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listen to the audiobook narrated by Ayesha Antoine. It was a heartbreaking book. I was recommended it at a realistic medicine conference and it is definitely worth listening to/reading.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s uplifting and gives an insight how important the social worker role for the vulnerable people.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible
7-8 april 2025
Very moving and maybe a book I should of read a while ago
Evoked memories and gave me a different view point.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this. But all I can do is buy a bulk and send everyone I know one for Christmas. Do the same!

[Hannah Kilner · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful book highlighting the care workers and the broken system

[Hannah Piekarski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I re add this book at the UCLH book club as part of the partnership with Penguin. As someone who works in the health and care sector I really enjoyed reading this. It was especially interesting to hear her experience of lockdown and the impact of Covid on her work.