South Wales Care Company Opening Up Employment Opportunities In The Local Community
Pontypool based domiciliary care company My Care My Home has been working through the pandemic to help deliver additional care for local residents across South Wales in their own homes. With vaccine hubs opening up across the region, the work of carers is crucial to ensure that older residents and adults requiring care can safely access the potentially life-changing vaccination, as well as recover in the comfort of their own home.
Inspired by the commitment of NHS workers on the front line during the first lockdown, applications for care worker roles at the organisation have risen by 30.89% from June to December, with job opportunities always open at My Care My Home. Heartbreakingly, the pandemic has created difficult financial situations for many people.
However, many UK workers furloughed or made redundant in the past year have switched to care work; stepping into the frontline of the pandemic to join the total workforce of over 1.5million (actually larger than the NHS). Figures1 from December show that care work has emerged as one of the most buoyant in the job market, with the sector seeing the fastest growing number of vacancies. Care roles offer strong employment possibilities with flexible hours, immense job satisfaction and opportunities for people of all ages and experience in the local community.
Stepping into the frontline
Sarah Skarratts – a valuable member of the team of Community Support Workers in South Wales in recent years – is now working as an intensive care nurse at the heart of the fight against the pandemic at University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park Way. Sarah credits her time at My Care My Home as one of the catalysts for her incredible achievement. Sarah says, “When I first took the job, I had no idea how much of an influence the role would have on my life. Shortly after beginning, I realised that caring for people was something I was passionate about. I got the opportunity to care for some wonderful people and work with a team that offered amazing support. Following this, I decided to return to university and begin my journey of becoming a registered nurse. As a mature student with a family it wasn’t easy, however My Care My Home offered me support whenever I needed it and allowed me to have flexibility within my role so I could continue to work alongside my studies.”
Joanne Davies, Director of Care at My Care My Home comments, “It’s been an absolute privilege to have been able to support NHS staff to provide additional care in people’s homes during the pandemic including the safe discharge of healthy patients from their care. Our existing workforce have been tremendous in their work ethic and commitment to their patients during what has been – and continues to be – a difficult time for so many. And, we’re delighted to welcome new recruits both from care worker backgrounds and increasingly from sectors as diverse as hospitality, retail and even the arts – who may be considering a new career challenge.”
Yasmine John, Chief Executive Officer of My Care My Home adds, “After Christmas we usually see an increase in enquires from families who have recognised that their loved ones might need extra support. This year has seen a similar uplift in demand, but of course the need is now driven by people who have not been able to visit their family physically, followed by another lockdown in which families are not able to travel or visit their relatives and want the reassurance that a highly trained care professional is able to step in – even temporarily. Our carers are able to help in so many ways – supporting our older clients to connect with relatives via technology, organising GP appointments and collecting medication and – vitally – accompanying people to Covid-19 vaccinations.”
“Our motto at My Care My Home is that even the little things we can do for people make a big difference in their lives. We know that there is a long way to go, but we’re here to keep our service users safe, supported and cared for.”
My Care My Home provides compassionate care, support and advice to older people and vulnerable adults across England and Wales. They can also provide completely free expert and impartial advice about the type of care services available, finding the right care partner and the cost of care and funding options. From occasional home care visits to live-in care, there are a range of options available for families. As key workers, all employees have been offered the Covid-19 vaccination.
My Care My Home was established in 2011. With its Head Office based in Pontypool, the team of 120 Community Support Workers are based in three key areas; South Wales, Wigan and Cornwall. My Care My Home has a free helpline available from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week: 0800 731 8470.