St Helens needs you! Join our ‘Be a Care Hero’ Campaign

St Helens needs you! Join our ‘Be a Care Hero’ Campaign

St Helens Council, NHS St Helens CCG and St Helens Cares partners are supporting a regional campaign to boost the numbers of care workers in the short term and help care for the elderly at home and in care, and free up space in hospitals.

With the Covid-19 crisis outbreak putting increased pressure on hospital wards with limited numbers of beds available, local authorities across the North West are keen to show people the benefits of working in the sector, and hire more carers in the short-term to deal with the crisis and beyond.

The ‘Be a Care Hero’ campaign looks to highlight the benefits of working in the adult social care sector and aims to attract people with transferable skills – who are unable to work currently as furloughed, have been made redundant or an reduced hours – such as those who work in the hospitality or airlines industry and students.

The campaign is being run, in conjunction with local authorities, by the North West Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), who say they are on a mission to recruit people across the region to support adult social care services during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Councils across the North West have said they have seen a reduction of up to 50 per cent in staff numbers due to factors relating to Covid-19.  ADASS is therefore looking to recruit key sector workers, from care workers in residential homes to care workers in people’s own homes, as well as cooks, cleaners and more.

Delyth Curtis, ADASS regional vice-chair, said: “There is a real issue mounting across adult social care so we have joined together to launch this much-needed recruitment campaign.

“With an estimated one-in-four workers likely to be furloughed in the UK, there is a huge number of people with incredible skills that would be greatly valued within adult social care right now. These are incredibly fulfilling and rewarding roles supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities when they need it most.”

Cllr Marlene Quinn, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “Now more than ever we need people to join the social care sector and help us to look after some of St Helens’ most vulnerable residents as we battle through the worst health crisis in the UK for generations.

“This campaign is aimed at recruiting staff to our local care workforce both in the home care sector and within residential settings, not only now but also in the future.  Social Care is a very rewarding sector to work in, and now more than any other time people are starting to understand what the role entails and also how vital it is for both St Helens and the country.  

 If you think you have what it takes to be a great and compassionate carer, come and join our team of amazing staff locally and help make a real difference.”

Lisa Urch, a social worker in St Helens who is supporting the campaign, said: “I have worked in adult social care for the last 20 years and have provided care and support to individuals with learning disabilities and people in the community.  I’ve been able to build relationships to enable people to be as independent as possible in their own home – this helps with their wellbeing and gives them a better quality of life.

“Just by helping someone in a small way, whatever that is, I find really satisfying and rewarding along with the support and the training given, it’s just like being a big happy family.  I can’t imagine doing any other job.”

 Visit www.greater.jobs to see what roles are available and how to apply – search for ‘social care’ in Merseyside

You can also email waystowork@sthelens.gov.uk  or telephone 01744 67 6131 for more information.

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