Homecare – a rewarding career

A film aimed at encouraging people to consider homecare as a career is being launched by Orkney Islands Council.

The Council is seeking to recruit three home carers who will work primarily in Stromness and other areas of the West Mainland.

In addition to the new posts, there are currently seven other vacancies in the homecare team.

The film - Homecare: a Rewarding Career - has been produced to give people an idea of what the job involves.

“We filmed homecare staff as they went about their daily visits,” said Caroline Sinclair, Chief Officer of Orkney Health and Care.

“What shines through is the value the people they support place on the work of our home carers.

“Watching the film, you get a real insight into what being a home carer is all about. I hope it will encourage folk to think about working in homecare. If you enjoy helping others, it really is a rewarding career.”

Katie Costie, from Westray, has been a home carer for more than 30 years and is featured in the film.

She said: “Nothing gives me more pleasure than helping people to live at home for as long as they can if that’s where they want to be, and enjoying their lives as much as possible.

“No day is the same and there’s huge satisfaction when you see people making progress with a little help and encouragement. I’ve always got a huge kick out of it and, after all those years, I still do today.”

Darren Sinclair is another of the home carers featured.

“I’m just coming up to 30 and I’ve been involved in a variety of care work for around seven years,” he said. “I enjoy working with the elderly people I visit each day – they are from a generation with some wonderful stories to tell.

“Having the chance to help people, and seeing how much it is appreciated, gives you a lot of job satisfaction. We share quite a few laughs as well – as you’ll see in the film.”

The team currently provides 1,600 hours a week of homecare for more than 220 people across the county.

Caroline Sinclair added: “In the difficult financial circumstances faced by the Council, we had to make a very strong case for additional funding. But the number of elderly people in our community is growing and the new posts are required to help us respond to an ever-increasing demand for homecare.

“When the team is at full strength we employ more than 120 home carers. There are often vacancies and I’d encourage people to watch the film and get in touch with us if you’d like to know more about working in homecare.”

For further information contact Billy Gunn on 01856888390 or by email to homecare.support@orkney.gov.uk

Our film features homecare service user Jackie Corsie, who sadly passed away just after the film was completed. Jackie was keen to be involved in the project. It’s with fond memories of Jackie and with thanks to his family that he appears in this campaign.