FAMILY Caring about carers
The social care workforce has played a vital role in keeping the most vulnerable and at-risk members of our communities safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
In uncertain times it is more important than ever that when someone visits your house, it is a familiar face.
Visiting Angels have always looked after their carers so that the Angels can look after their clients. Local entrepreneur, Dan Archer, started Visiting Angels in 2017 to help his local community. Dan says that in challenging times his Angels have made him proud.
“During the pandemic we have provided additional training and support to our Angels as well as bulk buying PPE from overseas to ensure that everyone is kept as safe as possible. I am, however, incredibly proud of the fantastic work that my team have done to keep people safe and well.”
Visiting Angels’ approach to care is different. Working closely with clients, building trusting relationships
‘‘The caregivers have provided much-needed company and a friendly face to reduce any loneliness and isolation felt.’’
and delivering compassionate care is at the heart of their home care service. They are proud to be carer- centric, which means they truly care about their carers to ensure they are happy at work in the belief that this will result in better care provided to their clients.
They invest in and value their caregivers, with fairer pay of up to £11.50 per hour, realistic working hours so staff aren’t burnt out, plus benefits like a loyalty scheme and mileage paid. For all of this and more, Visiting Angels has a higher staff retention level than the industry average. Feeling appreciated for their efforts then means their caregivers truly enjoy going to work and will go that extra mile to ensure all clients are given the best possible care. A stable workforce has meant that on average each client sees a small number of caregivers, in some instances the same one. A smaller team of people has also reduced the risk of infection. During COVID-19, this has been more important than ever, with most of their clients being in the at-risk or clinically vulnerable categories and having to self-isolate or shield during the height of the pandemic. With the elderly still being advised to stay at home and family members and friends having to stay away to protect them, the caregivers have
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provided much-needed company and a friendly face to reduce any loneliness and isolation felt. With the same carers coming each week there is the comfort of a familiar face, albeit behind a facemask. At Visiting Angels, they allow clients to ‘Choose their Caregiver’ from a selection of well-matched candidates. This means they have a say on who they feel comfortable coming into their home and providing their care, and also that care is regular and dependable. With high levels of infection in residential care homes across the country, many families are choosing for their loved ones to stay at home rather than going into a care home. Dan says: “We have always felt that there is no place like home and the safety and security of one-to- one care at home has been a real comfort to families across South Yorkshire during the pandemic.”
If you or a family member needs an extra helping hand to live safe and well at home, Visiting Angels are still accepting new enquiries for their exceptional home care service. 0114 433 3000
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