ANYONE in Wales who is fit and well and has been made redundant from hospitality or retail or whose business has closed due to the Coronavirus is being urged to become a carer.

As COVID-19 cases rise in Wales, the country’s homecare service providers, who are at the frontline like other healthcare professions, are urgently seeking more staff to care for the vulnerable and elderly.

Ffion Evans, Branch Manager at Abacare, which has offices in Bangor and provides care in the surrounding areas, said: “We’re expecting our teams who provide an invaluable service to the most vulnerable in our society, the mostly housebound in Wales, who can’t look after themselves for various reasons, to be stretched to the limit as the virus gathers pace.

“We’re urging anyone who needs work, those who have recently been made redundant or laid off to get in touch. There are lots of customer-facing roles such as those in hospitality and retail where people are currently unable to work, and we’d be very grateful if they helped swell our numbers as we face the impact of this virus head on together.

“There may also be fit and well people out there who are normally self-employed who can’t work at the moment due to the economic issues related to the crisis and as a result of social distancing rules, such as hairdressers and beauticians, or those whose work has greatly reduced. They can help us too, even if just on a flexible part-time basis while they keep their businesses ticking over.

“Our carers are frontline staff and while our teams are coping well at the moment, we’re bracing ourselves and we need more staff to urgently boost our numbers. Full training is given.

“Those we look after can’t care for themselves, so are a daily lifeline to them. They are scared and worried at the moment, as we live in uncertain times. They need physical and emotional care. Some are bedridden, some are physically frail and others suffer from dementia. We’re hoping local people and communities will come together and help us meet the challenges ahead.

“If you are fit and well and want to make a substantial difference to people’s lives at this acute time, we can train you quickly and enable you to help those who are vulnerable, who may not see a person other than their carer from one day to the next. We really need your help to add to the front-line workforce and ensure that the elderly in particular have help.

“Anyone interested can call the Bangor branch on 01248 677 919. Our office team will be able to have a chat with you and they will be able to set up interviews via Skype or Facetime to talk you through everything.

“We will be able to provide our free, full training on a fast-track basis to make sure everyone we take on is ready. This includes a company induction, first aid, information on dementia, health and safety, food safety, infection control, handling medication and moving and handling service users, with the opportunity to achieve Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) after the initial three months probationary period.

“New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for all major brands as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.”

For more information or to enquire about a position at Abacare, call 01248 677 919 or visit www.abacare.org.uk.