Choose Care – Change Lives!

Council launches recruitment campaign to strengthen Care at Home Service

Orkney Islands Council has launched a recruitment drive to strengthen Orkney’s dedicated Care at Home Service.

There is a national shortage of care staff and unfortunately Orkney is no different  - but that is something the Council is hoping to change with your help.

Do you have a caring and compassionate nature? Are you looking for a vocation not just a job? Would you enjoy being rewarded with making new friends and going home knowing you have made a real difference to the lives of others?

A Care Recruitment Open Day is taking place on Thursday 16 December from 10am – 7pm at the Council Offices in Kirkwall. Interested folk can complete an application online or a paper application can be obtained from HR Support on 01856 873535 ext.2250.

Allotted slots will be given and then folk will be taken through the recruitment and application process.  One aim of the open day is to allow people to apply quickly and easily, to meet with managers and staff for an informal discussion, to be interviewed for a job in Care at Home, and to leave with the offer of a job as appropriate and conditional on all checks being successful.  Equally if you are not sure the job is for you please phone in to have a conversation and see if you like what you hear!

We are also launching videos featuring the stories of a number of home carers and a responder here in Orkney – these will be shared on the big screen within the cinema in the Pickaquoy Centre from 10-16 December inclusive and on OIC Updates and Youtube.

Orkney Health and Care Head of Health and Community Care, Lynda Bradford, said: “We have a dedicated and devoted team of home carers and responders who provide a vital service to hundreds of service users who require assistance to enable them to live safely within their own homes.

“At present our staff remain determined and focused but the numbers are depleted and we really need many more to strengthen our team so we have launched an appeal for folk to come forward if they feel this could be the career for them. We are often told by our carers and responders that this is not a job, it’s a vocation and a role that provides a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. Our carers and responders are touching lives and making a difference in another person and their families’ worlds.”

Mrs Bradford said it’s a role that not only requires a caring and compassionate outlook but also the ability to provide the respectful personal care of others when that is required.

“It is incredibly rewarding, however there are times when it can be a challenging role. Sometimes people require that very personal and hands-on touch, whether that be assisting someone in getting up from bed, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, showering and medication. But the benefits to both the individual receiving the care and the carer and responder themselves are immense.”

This is something that is very much backed up by home carer of 15 years, Vera Butler, who would wholeheartedly recommend home care as a career choice.

“I enjoy meeting folk and helping them. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t feel that I was making a difference to the lives of others. I have built up very close relationships with the folk I look after. You must be mindful of every person’s situation and respectful of that – put yourselves in their shoes – and treat them as you would wish to be treated. Not everyone being cared for is in their twilight years, some require assistance for a variety of debilitating health reasons,  some live alone and others have partners and, again, it’s important to remember that each individual has their own particular needs and personalities.”

Vera sees the people she cares for in the Kirkwall and St Ola area four times a day – early morning, lunchtime, teatime and into the evening and supports a variety of needs from washing and dressing, assisting with medication or serving a meal.

“I’m not going to sugar coat it – there are times when you may have to deal with a tricky situation, but that’s where the training and the support of your co-ordinators and managers comes into play. The daily rewards far outweigh any of the challenges. I hear these folk’s life stories and their memories. I may be the only link with the outside world for some at times so it’s important to be a listening ear or to brighten their day with your stories. You do build up very close relationships.”

One of Vera’s service users is Mary Zawadski.

Mary, 73, described the team of carers around her as “angels”.

“I use that word quite literally – they are absolutely angels. I am ever so grateful for what they do allows me the privilege of not only being able to remain in my own home but to enjoy doing some of the things that I still like to do.”

Mary, who is also supported by her sister, Patricia Lidderdale “Basha” to enable her to stay at home, was diagnosed with a progressive form of MS more than 30 years ago and requires that additional assistance in regards to her mobility.

She admits to being a little reticent when the prospect of home care was raised several years ago.

“At first I was nervous at the thought of letting someone into my life which is private. But as soon as the people walked through the bedroom door I was able to relax and smile.”

Mary is attended to by home carers four times a day.

“It takes a special kind of person to be a home carer; it cannot be the easiest of jobs, but I hope it is very rewarding knowing the difference the is made to people’s lives – people like me. They are worth a million dollars.”

Mhairi Gunn, from Stenness, has been a home carer for 14 months, contracted to a specific team and based in Kirkwall.

“I formerly worked in the hospitality industry but when COVID hit my job as with many many others was put on hold. Whilst my employers at the time were great the certainty of my job was unknown and it was then that I took a leap of faith and applied to become a home carer and I have never looked back since

“I love the job, knowing that even the smallest things you can do for one of your service users can have a such a great positive impact on the quality of their time at home. I find this very rewarding as after a long day you come home knowing you have done what you can to support them and playing a very special part in supporting those in the community that need help and assistance.

“From what my service users say to me they feel that the service provided by Home Care is a very important service and without it would mean that many of them would not be able to remain in their own homes which is what they would like to do for as long as possible. It also enables them to be as independent as they can for as long as they can with support from the home carers.”

Mhairi never felt that home care was a job that she would be able to do, and she took her hat off to others that did.

“Now I am doing the job, I can safely say I love it and have never looked back. I know that it is long hours and you are out in all weathers but to know that I have had a positive impact on my service users makes it so rewarding that it outweighs the longs days. I also find that my job is made a lot easier by the support I receive from the co-ordinators and organisers in the office each shift. It is great and I always know they are there no matter what problems may arise from day to day.”

Mrs Netta Flett, 80, has lived on her own since the passing of her husband, Tommy, around 20 years ago. She has been assisted by the Home Care service for several years, with two carers attending to her four times a day.

Mrs Flett requires a high level of personal care given some physical challenges.

“I spent about eight weeks in hospital last year and then had to go to Hamnavoe House for a while before I was able to come home again. I was so pleased to get home. I would not be able to be here if it weren’t for the home carers coming in.”

Mrs Flett was herself an unpaid carer, looking after her father for a time, so she knows how important the role is for folk.

“They are all very good. It’s very lightsome when they come in.”

Nick Appleby is one of Netta’s carers – it’s a career path he found himself on only last year, moving back to Orkney in 2020.

He said: “Originally I just applied as I needed to move home to be closer to aging family members, and it was the best job on the islands for work life balance.”

Nick covers high dependency visits in the Harray and Finstown area, usually seeing the same folk, with occasional variances.

“For me, it is all win win. I see a lovely group of people that I spend time making chuckle, whilst helping with the things they cannot do for themselves. I'm a big believer in honest and real relationships in all environments and I think that makes a difference in trust and comfort of those I care for. I hope those I visit would say that they get a laugh, that they feel genuinely cared for. Good chat and reassurance. Judgements free, and dignity.”

Nick says the income alongside the mileage allowance has afforded him the ability to buy a new car that he would have struggled to get otherwise.

What does he feel are the benefits of a career in Home Care?

“I have also been afforded enough free time to pursue hobbies and spend time with family. Of course, there are the obvious things about the good Karma, but I think, particularly in Orkney with the Islands Distance Allowance, the pay for the hours is great, and overtime is often available for a little boost too.”

Nick believes that folk, particularly men, are put off by the perception of the role.

“We have to deal on a daily basis with bodily fluids and bed sores, all sorts really. I went through some stress about this but imagine how silly I felt three weeks into the job, for that's all it took to get used to it. Very quickly it just becomes a non-issue, as you are connecting to the person, not the experience. And that's coming from someone who is quite squeamish. Don't throw away a great opportunity to drive around the most beautiful landscape in Britain, helping some truly lovely folk and getting paid for it, just because of squeamishness.”

Gail Harvey, registered manager Orkney Health and Care, Care at Home Responder Service, said: “Orkney Islands Council’s Care at Home Service is part of the fabric of our community. Our teams of skilled home carers and responders make a world of difference to the people who use our Care at Home Service by providing the best possible care and support that enables people to remain in their own homes.

“We know that when at all possible, people want to stay within their own homes for as long as possible and, here in Orkney, we have a fantastic record of enabling that to happen. We cannot do this without a core team of fantastic home carers and responders.

“So, I ask you; are you a caring, compassionate and reliable person who is interested in supporting people in your own local community? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people within your community? Do you want to help people thrive, not just survive? Then being a home carer could be just the job you are looking for.”

To find out more information or to apply head here www.orkney.gov.uk/wecare