A DEVON home care provider has put out another heart-felt plea this week (April 1, 2020) for more carers to come forward to help its frontline staff as the Coronavirus crisis develops nationwide.
Recent news that thousands of people have responded to the Government’s recruitment call for healthcare workers has stimulated the domiciliary care industry in Devon to launch its own similar drive.
Katie Jewell, Regional Manager of HomeLife, which has offices in Barnstaple, Okehampton, Plymouth and Tiverton, and provides care in the surrounding areas, explained: “While we’re currently coping well with demand for the services we provide for some of the most vulnerable and isolated in our community, we still urgently need more staff to help, as further cases of COVID-19 become apparent in Devon.
“It is imperative that we keep those we care for safely at home as they are in the high risk category, being mainly elderly, identified by the Government and it’s vital we provide them with essential medical and wellbeing services. By shielding them, we’re also helping to prevent an overload on the NHS at a time when it needs to devote all its energies to Coronavirus victims.
“We’re calling out to Devonians, our service users need you. Your county needs you! If you are available for part-time or full-time work, please email us via enquiries@homelifecarers.co.uk, or contact your nearest branch, with your mobile number, so we can arrange to call you for an online interview. Details can be found on our website https://www.homelifecarers.co.uk.
“Please let us know where you live and where you are prepared to travel too. We’re also asking people to share our recruitment posts on social media and to use #DevonNeedsYou. We’re asking other organisations to use the hashtag too, as we’re all in this together.”
HomeLife says care workers are on the frontline looking after the elderly and vulnerable in society, those unable to help themselves, and it now urgently needs more people to assist.
Katie added: “Many people may find themselves without work as businesses close or reduce staff numbers. I am appealing to these people. If you are fit and well and want to make a substantial difference to people’s lives at this acute time, we can train you quickly and enable you to help those who are vulnerable, who may not see a person other than their carer from one day to the next. We really need your help to add to the frontline workforce and ensure that the elderly in particular have help.
“Anyone interested should get in touch today. Our office team will be able to have a chat with you and they will be able to set up interviews via Skype or Facetime to talk you through everything.
“We will be able to provide our free, full training on a fast-track basis to make sure everyone we take on is ready. This includes a company induction, first aid, information on dementia, health and safety, food safety, infection control, handling medication and moving and handling service users, with the opportunity to achieve Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) after the initial three months probationary period.
“New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for all major brands as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.”
HomeLife operates a professional Care Management Team that is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in their own homes.
The large team of trained, specialist, care workers provide positive based outcomes and person-centred care to people throughout Devon.
“Care work might not be something people have considered before, but if they are fit and healthy, then it’s a fantastic way to really help make a difference. This is a great opportunity for anyone wishing to have a stable and long-term career in care, and who would like to forge rewarding relationships with the service users they care for.
“Being a carer is a highly skilled, professional vocational occupation that is essential to the fabric of our society and the beauty of a job for life means people can start by training with us and work their way up the career ladder gaining further training and qualifications. In today’s changing world of employment, we pride ourselves on being able to offer long-term job security and career prospects.”
For more information or to enquire about a position at HomeLife, please visit https://www.homelifecarers.co.uk.
