The Leader of West Sussex County Council has gone ‘back to the floor’ to get hands-on and undertake a shift as a home care worker.
Louise Goldsmith rolled up her sleeves and spent time with Inter-County Nursing & Care Services, a home care provider based in Oving near Chichester.
Louise was one of a number of senior councillors and staff at the county council to undertake home care shifts around the county in the past few weeks.
Louise spent time at the company’s main office with the management team and office staff before heading out on the road.
She teamed up with one of the carers, Clare McWilliam, to meet a resident and see the kind of tasks the care workers undertake and to hear how residents feel about having home care.
Louise said: “It was an honour to join Inter-County and visit one of the many residents who receives care in their own home.
“To hear more about the challenges and the nuances of the role was extremely enlightening, while it was also wonderful to meet Margaret, who has been receiving care for a few months now and was nothing but complimentary of the support she is provided.
“Clare was brilliant; both considerate and personable. It’s great to see home care staff bring a smile to someone’s face while still helping them to maintain an independent lifestyle.”
Inter-County carers deliver over 550 hours of home care every week across Chichester, Bognor and surrounding villages.
Louise’s visit followed West Sussex Care Month in October from the County Council, aimed at raising awareness about care and support available in the county.
West Sussex County Council is encouraging people to take up a rewarding career in care in the county.
Backing the campaign, Inter-County Registered Manager, Susan Brigstock, said: “Recruiting more carers is our biggest challenge. Without our carers, those needing care wouldn’t be in their own home and that’s where they want to be.”
For more information, visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/jobsincare