A local home care company is urging former employees from the hospitality and retail sectors to bring their valuable skills to the care sector.

As the pandemic brings unemployment and an uncertain future for the job market, Home Instead Exeter and East Devon are urging local people to consider a career in care.

While there are job losses in sectors such as hospitality and retail, the pandemic has caused a surge in demand for home care as people look to protect their loved ones.

In addition to both full and part-time, hourly care roles are available. Home Instead also has positions available for live-in caregivers who move into a client's home for a period of time on a rotating basis, to provide care.

Mark McGlade, co-owner of Home Instead Exeter and East Devon, said: "The care we provide at Home Instead is tailor-made and companionship-based.

"We offer award-winning training and ongoing support and would like to invite applications for our Caregiver roles from those who may not have considered a career in care before.

"We are aware that there are many people currently looking for work who may have transferrable skills from hard-hit industries such as retail and hospitality.

"We are looking for people who are of a caring nature with a desire to make a difference to people's lives."

Mary, who joined the company as a caregiver in November 2020, commented: "I came from an insurance and retail banking background, as well as working for my husband's business.

I wanted to find a role that would be fulfilling but would fit around my other commitments, and that's when I came across Home Instead.

"Don't be put off if you don't have care experience as you get full training throughout and the office staff are lovely and supportive. I quickly realised that I had many transferable skills and qualities to bring to the role."

Mary continued: "I've built great relationships with my clients, which I find hugely satisfying, and I have been able to choose my own hours to suit me.

"Because I have a dog, I prefer to have afternoons off for walking him, but it would work equally well if you had children or other commitments.

"All-in-all, I've found working for Home Instead to be a win-win!"

Home Instead Exeter and East Devon are rated 5-star outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and takes a unique, person-centred approach to home care, which benefits both clients and caregivers, with safety and wellbeing always at the forefront.

Clients are supported to live as independently as possible, by caregivers that they come to know well and who visit for a minimum of an hour at a time.

Caregivers' duties are tailored to the needs of individual clients and range from companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, hospital-discharge care, personal care, shopping, errands, and specialist dementia and Parkinson's Disease care.

To find out more about Home Instead Exeter and East Devon and their current vacancies, please call 01395 200600 or visit their website here.