WHEN 18-year-old Daniel Langridge became a carer to look after his grandmother, he never thought it would become a career.

But Daniel, now 24, has been shortlisted for a national award for his work coordinating care for 130 vulnerable people in Winchester and Eastleigh.

His rapid rise has seen him nominated for a Great British Care Award. He said he feels “very lucky” to have been given the opportunities to succeed at Bluebird Care in Winchester.

“I was over the moon,” he said. “Coordinating is one of the less glamorous jobs. You don’t normally get the recognition you maybe deserve.”

“I never came into care to win any awards – I came into care to learn ways to care for my nan, who had cancer. I walked into the job not knowing nothing.”

Daniel, of Stanmore Lane, now wants to convince youngsters, and particularly young men, that care is an exciting and fulfilling industry.

“This is a worthwhile job,” he said. “It’s not maybe wiping people’s bottoms – you can actually make a difference in someone’s life. You can make something out of this.”

He is one of six Bluebird employees to be shortlisted in the South East this year.

Norman Murphy, owner and managing director, said one company receiving six nominations was “practically unheard of”.

He said: “It really is testament to the fabulous team of professional office and care staff we have here.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Brighton on Saturday, November 8.