Orkney rallies to help the county’s most vulnerable

Folk in Orkney have answered a plea for help to ensure some of the county’s most vulnerable folk are cared for over the festive period.

Orkney Health and Care have been overwhelmed with offers of assistance from family, former and present members of care staff, other Council employees and members of the public.

Orkney Heath and Care Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, said staff are now working their way through all the offers.

“I want to start by saying my heartfelt thanks go to the people of Orkney for their kind offers of help. This is a shining example of a community working together for the benefit of some of its most vulnerable folk.

“Around 50 families have said they will be able to support their loved ones over the festive period – with several of them taking on the complete care packages. We have had additional offers of assistance come in from care staff who work in our residential homes, from former care staff, other Council employees and members of the public and for this we are incredibly grateful.

“Staff are now working on the practicalities and we will keep our service users and their families up to date with what happens next. Staff will be getting in touch with those who have offered to help over the coming days. We are hopeful that we face a brighter picture now as we head into Christmas and beyond.”

One of the first to offer up his services was Karl Kemp, a social care worker at Smiddybrae House in Dounby.

He will be visiting four service users in their own homes on Christmas Eve in addition to his “day job” which will see him on duty in the care home on Christmas Day.

Karl said he couldn’t bear the thought of folk being left alone if they had no family members, or relatives who were unable to help for whatever reason.

He said: “Not everyone has family who can step in and help and even if they do, some find it difficult for a variety of reasons. The Home Carers may be the only people that they see over Christmas and now with this latest COVID situation and the increasing restrictions, some people may become even more isolated with family and friends staying away for safety reasons.

“I will be going into their homes with a daft Christmas jumper on, a big cheery smile on my face and hopefully it will be an enjoyable visit and I can tend to their needs.”

Another to come forward is former care worker Dana Sutherland, from Stromness.

Despite having a full-time job and having a young daughter, Dana said she was so touched by the plight of vulnerable folk that she felt compelled to offer her services.

“I used to care for vulnerable people for the Council and privately and I remember one Christmas Day I was working one of my visits was to this lovely older man, but he was crying when I went in as he had no-one other than myself. I have everybody and some folk have nobody. When I read the appeal, I couldn’t not help – there was no question in my mind and that’s why I offered my services. I actually got a bit teary as reading the article made me think back to that adorable man who was on his own apart from the carers.”

Dana loved her job in Home Care and supporting folk in their own homes, only leaving due to medical reasons.

“It was a job I had to give up very reluctantly. I have no doubt that family members who can, will also help out – it’s not possible for everyone to take this role on so thank goodness we have carers.”

Thanks to a successful recruitment campaign, a further ten people have been offered positions within the service. However, there’s still time to apply – this can be done via www.orkney.gov.uk/wecare

Background:

In common with other areas, a number of factors have impacted on care services. These include a national shortage of care workers, heightened restrictions relating to the Omicron variant and agency staff who have been bolstering the local teams heading home for Christmas and New Year.

OHAC appealed for help from families of those with care packages to ensure the care of loved ones continues over the festive period and into the new year.

Letters were sent to service users on Friday warning them of a reduction in care packages available between 20 December and 10 January, in particular.

Staff continue to explore all avenues to try and find a solution and this included seeking former staff to return in the short-term and working alongside the voluntary sector.

Home Care Co-ordinators will be in contact with all service users over the next few days to advise of the care that can be provided.