A NOT-FOR-PROFIT Southampton social care provider is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9 – 15, 2022) and its theme of loneliness.
As part of the event, SCA Care will be highlighting the vital role its support workers play in alleviating loneliness and contributing to positive mental health.
Ricky Rossiter, Director of Integrated Services at the charity says: “According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, loneliness is one of the largest health concerns we face as it impacts on mental and physical health. The campaign says there are nine million lonely people in the UK and four million of them are older people. Many older people find constant loneliness the hardest to overcome. The Mental Health Foundation says reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society.
“This is why we are getting behind Mental Health Awareness Week, created by The Mental Health Foundation, as it will explore loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
“There is a common misconception that the role of support workers is simply to administer medication and help people with basic daily tasks, however, there is a great deal more involved.
“It’s an important part of our role to ensure they have daily socialisation and interaction. As a not-for-profit we’re focused on the emotional wellbeing of our service users, as well as seeing to their physical needs, as we want them to have the best life possible. That’s why we’re backing this national campaign and take seriously the need for our support workers to spend time to have a chat, share a joke and to make a cuppa with someone. If we are able to brighten someone’s day in the process, then this is a big plus.”
Graham Rabbitts, who cares for his wife Dairne, alongside support workers from SCA Care, said: “The companionship from the carers that visit Dairne undoubtedly helps with her self-esteem. Even though we cope quite well most of the time, the existence of regular care would be invaluable if I were to fall ill. We are provided with a reliable service and we get to know the staff as friends.”
The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Mental Health in the Pandemic’ research found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the pandemic. It has been a factor in contributing to higher levels of distress, resulting in people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, says on www.mentalhealth.org.uk: “Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic. That is why we have chosen it as our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022.”
SCA Care successfully supports a number of service users already, but there has been a growing demand in Southampton from those seeking help and it’s keen to provide the support needed, so is looking to recruit 50 new support workers this spring.
Ricky continues: “We take mental health and wellbeing very seriously here and offer our frontline workers free wellbeing support through our sister charity Options Wellbeing Trust, which has professional therapists and counsellors on its team who can help with a variety of life issues, including anxiety, trauma, stress, relationships and bereavement. We have trained Mental Health First Aiders and a dedicated, free-ranging Wellbeing Ambassador on our team too.”
New recruits are given their birthday off as a paid day’s leave, free uniforms, free training and all equipment needed to make their calls. They also receive above average rates of pay, as well as 30 days paid holiday inclusive of bank holidays, paid mileage and payment for any time someone spends travelling between calls.
Ricky adds: “We’re looking for friendly, kind, compassionate and dedicated people and value personality and passion before education. Having the right attitude and values is essential. No experience is necessary, as we cover all the costs of DBS checks and training for staff who remain with us after their probationary period and pay staff to attend training sessions. We offer new recruits an induction and on-boarding programme, as well as buddying-up with other experienced team members, and we train staff to an industry standard with all employees completing a Care Certificate.
“We also offer flexible working hours, both full and part-time, competitive wages, £9.60-£15 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus paid travel time, and a generous holiday allocation, including giving an additional free day for a team member’s birthday. Further details of the current and evening roles we have are here: https://jobs.sciagroup.co.uk/.
“Joining us is a great opportunity to achieve a recognised qualification and they’ll also be able to access a career pathway, if they wish, through to management. Plus, you’ll be joining a charity, not some large money-making machine, we’re here for those we support and not-for-profit.”
For further details, please call SCA Care on 023 8036 6663 or visit Home Care services across Southampton and Hampshire (sciagroup.co.uk).
