Category Archives: Job Opportunities

Animals, Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, Retirement

Five things you never knew about homesitting

Savings on energy bills

There are many benefits of becoming a homesitter, from exploring new parts of the UK to taking care of pets. What most people may not have considered it’s also a great way to make savings on energy bills.

Homesitters stay in someone else’s home, so those that take on assignments during the colder months could make sizeable savings. With household bills set to rise to eye watering levels next January this could be quite a bonus!

One of our retired homesitting couples, Brian and Barbara Kennedy do about 200 days of homesitting each year on around 20 assignments, ranging from two days to their longest of seven weeks.  They enjoy the role for many reasons including making savings!

Brian says, “We’ve visited more parts of the Home Counties in the past 18 years than we did in the previous 40 years. Homesitting is like having lots of small holidays and we regularly pack our bags, load the car and set off on a new adventure.

“The payment we receive isn’t a strong motivation but it’s nice to have. It means we can enjoy occasional pub lunches during our stays without putting a strain on the budget and we have significantly reduced our home heating bill too.”

Staying in stately homes

Homesitting is also an opportunity to stay in a wide variety of homes from farm houses to penthouse flats, stately homes and historic castles – all for free.

Janet and Steve Groom from Kent thoroughly enjoy the home and pet sitting lifestyle, staying in gorgeous properties and looking after pets. The couple have a regular assignment in Barnes in London where they enjoy taking the dogs for walks in Richmond Park which is close by, plus there is a heated outdoor swimming pool they can use.

Janet says, “We often have to pinch ourselves to believe some of the homes we stay in. How else would you get to experience living in such gorgeous houses with swimming pools and beautiful gardens? Home and pet sitting is an amazing experience and we get so much out of it.”

Looking after unusual animals

Our clients have many different types of pets, from different breeds of dogs and cats to llamas, sheep, spiders and snakes and we have homesitters we can call upon no matter what the pet is. For example, we have a couple who are now fondly known as the Piggy-Banks as their surname is Banks and they regularly looked after a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig for a London-based client.

Pigs tend to be sensitive and temperamental animals and they also don’t like to be moved so the family needed someone to live in their house and look after him. The family called upon Homesitters and we found them this great couple who were happy to look after a pig, as well as all the other family pets including a terrier, a corn snake, a gecko and a tortoise!

Mileage and food costs covered

Home and pet sitters employed by Homesitters Ltd typically earn around £170 as a couple for a two-week homesit, plus they get reimbursed for mileage at 45p per mile and get a food allowance which often people don’t realise. This means they can eat for free whilst on assignment and travel costs can add up if the assignment is a long way from home.

As the role is flexible homesitters can take on as many assignments as they want during the year and some people may spend half of the year on assignment. Most of our homesitters are retirees on fixed incomes. Although the money they can earn isn’t usually the main motivation for taking on the role, it definitely comes in handy and can boost pension income.

It suits adventurous people

Sharon Payne

When people retire most don’t just want to sit at home twiddling their thumbs. Homesitting can satisfy this desire for adventure as it’s a great opportunity to visit new parts of the UK and step into the life of someone else for a short while. Homesitters live in a client’s home, taking care of their pets and can experience what it’s like to live somewhere different.

For homesitter, Sharon Payne from Milton Keynes this is just what she wanted. After taking early retirement from a busy career she has been home and pet sitting for over four years.  Sharon wanted to keep busy in retirement but was unwilling to take another 9 to 5 office job.

Sharon enjoys travelling, spending time with pets and meeting interesting people. Talking about one of her most memorable assignments she says, “I stayed in a beautiful old house in a small village where I looked after two dogs – and 35 tortoises!

“I really enjoyed looking after them, although I had to keep going to the local shop for more salad as they eat a kilo of salad every day between them. They are quite low maintenance and mostly put themselves to bed at night although I did have to check they were all in their beds and look for any stragglers.”

A keen golfer, Sharon always takes her golf clubs with her to play a few holes if there’s a golf course nearby. She is also enjoys photography and always takes her camera out on walks with the dogs. She says the day just flies by while she’s on assignment – and she certainly doesn’t find her retirement boring!

If homesitting sounds appealing, why not apply to become one? We are currently recruiting and would love to hear from anyone that thinks they would make a great homesitter. Please click here to find out more about the role, the type of people we are looking for and to apply.

Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, Pets, Retirement, Travel

Why becoming a homesitter is good for your wallet…. and your patience!

People wanting to avoid the travel chaos that has hit UK airports and ports this year, and enjoy a stress free UK break with petrol and pay covered then homesitting could be for you!

Homesitting involves staying in people’s homes when they go away to take care of the home and any pets. It offers a fantastic way to explore the UK, staying for free and having petrol costs covered. Duties are minimal. And whilst home and pet sitting is a serious responsibility it is meant to be enjoyable.

 

Normally the average working time does not exceed 1.75 hours per day. When homesitters are not carrying out duties, they are free to remain on the client’s premises or to explore the local area.

Any period away from the property must not exceed three consecutive hours during daylight or one hour after dark, but homesitters can leave the premises on more than one occasion each day.

Our homesitters tell us that they enjoy their trips out visiting local towns they may never have been to, exploring local beauty spots and National Trust properties or taking country walks with the dogs they look after.

Shops, museums and galleries are among the varied attractions of city home sits, and for rural sits visiting country pubs and enjoying peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of life are big draws.

 

Most of our homesitters are retirees in their 50s, 60s and 70s and many rely on their pension incomes. The cost of living crisis has meant that rising prices for petrol, food and energy are hard to avoid, but becoming a homesitter can be a way to limit the impact and boost pension income.

Home and pet sitters employed by Homesitters Ltd typically earn around £170 as a couple for a two-week homesit, which includes a daily food allowance, plus they get reimbursed for mileage at 45p per mile.  People can also make savings on their energy bills as they are staying in someone else’s home, especially if they do lots of assignments.

 

Former hotelier, John Charlick (pictured above) has been home and pet sitting for four years since retiring from the hospitality industry.  Keen to stay active in retirement, John looked for a flexible part time role. He has friends who dog sit who suggested he might try something similar. He found Homesitters online, applied and was offered the job.

 

John’s favourite part of the role is the travel across the UK to different homes and meeting different people. John says, “I’m still working in the hospitality industry in a way. I’m a real people person and love the social side of the job but my favourite thing is staying in gorgeous homes and visiting places I haven’t been to before.

 

“It can be like going on a mini break. I often stay in great locations and very glamorous homes, with swimming pools and tennis courts. I took up playing the piano again a few years ago so if there’s a piano I enjoy playing in the evenings.

“I also enjoy spending time with the animals, particularly dogs. I’ve owned dogs in the past, but now that I live in a flat it isn’t practical to have one and they are rather a tie. Homesitting gives me the opportunity to look after dogs and take them for walks, but I can then hand them back to their owners – rather like having grandchildren!”

 

One of John’s most memorable home sits was an assignment in Guernsey. He explains, “I’d never been to the island before, so it was interesting to visit for a week. I stayed in a charming house looking after a cat; it was almost like a holiday with free travel and accommodation.

“I also enjoy taking on assignments in London. I lived there for a time and still have lots of friends I can meet for lunch. My favourite assignment is for a regular client who has a Whippet. I stay there four times a year and usually arrive the night before the client goes away so that we can all have supper together – I almost feel like one of the family.”

 

If this role sounds great, why not apply to become a homesitter? We are currently recruiting throughout the UK and would love to hear from people interested in becoming homesitters. To find out more and to apply, click here.

 

Events, Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, North of England

Liverpool ONE recruitment drive event returns with hundreds of hospitality and retail roles available

Liverpool ONE is gearing up to stage its annual recruitment day to help local people land a job within retail and hospitality.

The event, which takes place on Tuesday 6 September, will see stores and restaurants from across the retail and leisure destination offering hundreds of vacancies across all levels, from store managers and supervisors to sales assistants and baristas.

Those looking to secure a new role will also have the chance to get interview tips from the experts in Liverpool ONE’s HR team, while a printing service for CVs will also be offered at the Information Centre on Wall Street.

Among the brands taking part are JD, who are offering over 150 positions, John Lewis & Partners with 100 vacancies, Tessuti’s brand new flagship store offering 50 roles, Guess, Bierkeller, MAC and many others, with a mixture of full and part-time roles available.

The recruitment drive aims to encourage more people to consider a career within retail and hospitality and explore the opportunities for development within the sector.

 

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming local people of all ages and backgrounds as we host our second recruitment drive following the success of last year’s event.

“We know there’s lots of untapped talent across the Liverpool City Region, with students coming into the city and looking for a part-time role, to more mature candidates looking for a change or a new opportunity.

“The opportunity to develop an exciting career in retail and hospitality are here and we’re really keen to talk to local people who are looking for roles at all levels. Visitors can work with our HR team on the day to perfect their interview technique and make sure they have the best chance at securing the job they want.”

 

Anyone considering vacancies on the day is invited to pop in to stores across Liverpool ONE who display signage indicating they are hiring.

Donna added: “With Christmas just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to attract – and retain – local talent and help them to hone their skills. There’s more than 3,500 people already working across Liverpool ONE and we’re looking forward to increasing this number in the coming months and helping to build long-lasting careers.”

Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, North of England

15 new jobs up for grabs as Conservatory Outlet expands again

One of Yorkshire’s leading manufacturers of windows, doors and living spaces has launched its latest recruitment drive as it looks to make the most of new products and growth in its retail network.

Conservatory Outlet, which already employs over 130 people in the region, is creating 15 new jobs at its Wakefield factory and will be showcasing the different roles during a special Careers Day this Saturday (20th August).

Most positions will be on the shop floor and in the warehouse, with experienced applicants and people looking for a change in career all welcome.

Held at West Yorkshire Windows on Headway Business Park, the three-hour event will give people the opportunity to meet existing staff and find out what it is like working for one of the fastest growing firms in the county.

They will hear about the progression paths in the business and the range of softer benefits on offer, including training leading to recognised qualifications, healthcare payments and staff events that boost team spirit.

“This is a really exciting time to join the business, as we are expecting recent investments in new machinery and our digital transformation to really pay off with new sales and new opportunities,” explained Caroline Mellor, HR Business Partner at Conservatory Outlet.

“Our 27-strong network of retailers are still experiencing strong demand from homeowners, and we need to make sure we are in a position to maintain lead times and accommodate any new surges that might happen as people choose to improve their homes rather than move to new properties.”

She went on to add: “We are launching our latest recruitment drive for 15 immediate starters on Saturday, and we thought the best way of getting as much interest as possible was by holding a Careers Day where people can ask questions, find out more about the roles and where they may lead to.

“West Yorkshire Windows is a fast-growing retailer in our network, and we’ve held it here to show potential staff the complete Conservatory Outlet journey and where the windows, doors and living spaces they could help make and supply will eventually be used.

“Although the focus is on factory and warehouse roles, there are also some office jobs we are also recruiting for.”

Conservatory Outlet continue to innovate the home improvement market with its approach to marketing, lead generation and product launches.

Gary Pape, who joined Conservatory Outlet when he was 20 years old, has worked his way up to become a Factory Glazing Production Supervisor.

He added his support: “I’m able to do different jobs, which is great as there’s always something different to do every day.

“I’ve also been given the opportunity to learn new skills and go on both hard and soft skills courses, such as product, management and communication training. This was all designed to help me progress through the business to the point where I’m now a Production Supervisor and lead specific parts of the manufacturing process.”

Caroline concluded: “Saturday is a great opportunity for people to get to know Conservatory Outlet, what we do and the culture we have in the business.

“Everyone is welcome, whether you’re just about to get your results and starting out or someone who is looking to return to work, change careers or looking for a firm that allows you to progress.”

Careers, Job Opportunities, Jobs

CV writing tips- Help you get the job you want

Looking for a new job can always be a difficult task and one that is arduous but could be very rewarding if you do it right. One way to set yourself up to get a new job is by having the best CV possible. This is the first step in the job searching process so you need to nail that down as best you can.

You may have skills that you did not know would be important for example being able to speak a made-up fictional language such as Dothraki or Elvish or being able to provide a guide to betting esports or know every flag in Europe. These skills can help you stand out but what makes for a good-looking CV?

 

Length

This is the most important thing about a CV. No employer is going to look at a CV if it is too long. Submitting 4 pages is far too much and it will put your chances of getting a job at the bottom of the pile.

Getting all of your experience on one page or at a maximum of two pages then that is ideal for how long a CV should be. Any more and it becomes off-putting for the reader.

As work coach, Adam Anwar feels this is key, “When you are writing your CV you do not want to make it long and monotonous. You want to keep it short, to the point and make sure it is full of job-specific content.”

“Just imagine your CV is going to be read by the laziest person in the world”

 

Job Specific

Rather than sending out a blanket CV with jobs on there that do not fit the career path you want. Make sure you are looking at making your previous experience in work life as specific to the career path you want as much as you can.

Using technical jargon for the specific industry will help you stand out from others who may have made the mistake of just putting every single job they have ever had even if it is not relevant to what they want to do now.

It can be time-consuming to do this but it is much more effective to adapt to be job-specific rather than taking the “shotgun approach” and hoping for the best when you “fire” off CVs to jobs that might fall into different sectors.

 

Layout

Making sure the CV is aesthetically pleasing can really set you out from the tens or hundreds of other applicants.

With a CV, you want to be looking at using bold headings of your previous work and small one-line bullet points of what you did at that place of work. This ties into what Adam said about imagining the laziest person in the world is reading your CV.

Another thing to consider with your layout is to avoid too much white space. This can be more striking than anything for an employer who is looking at prospective employees.

Job Opportunities, News

Make savings on your energy bills by becoming live-in home and pet sitters

With reports that household energy bills in the UK could top £500 a month by January[i], many people will be looking at how they can save on their bills.

One way for retirees to make savings is to become a homesitter, looking after people’s homes and any pets they have when they go away. According to Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters Ltd it’s a role that appeals to retired people and it can bring savings to people’s energy bills, especially if they take on a lot of assignments during the winter months. Ben said: “For people on set incomes this latest news about the likely cost of energy by January is going to be a real worry. During the winter it can be hard to cut back on energy especially for retired people who may spend a lot of time indoors.

“Homesitting offers people the chance to boost their pension income, plus it can mean they are saving on their energy bills too. Most of our homesitters are retirees and they enjoy the role because it’s a flexible part-time job and gives them the opportunity to explore parts of the UK.

“It’s perfect for animal lovers too, and part of the attraction for most is spending time with pets. The majority of the pets we are asked to look after are dogs and cats, although homesitters could be look after any type of pets such as rabbits, llamas and reptiles. We’re currently recruiting so recommend people get in touch if the role sounds appealing.”

Home and pet sitters employed by Homesitters Ltd typically earn around £170 as a couple for a two-week homesit, plus they get reimbursed for mileage at 45p per mile and get a food allowance. Brian and Barbara Kennedy took early retirement when they were 50 and 52 respectively, and have been homesitting ever since. They do around 200 days of homesitting each year, ranging from two days to their longest of seven weeks. Their favourite thing is spending time with the pets, exploring new surroundings and meeting new clients.  They especially enjoy walking dogs and believe they are fitter because of it. Brian says, “In our early days of homesitting while out on a morning walk in fields with dogs cavorting in the sunshine, I would often think of my former work colleagues attending a team meeting in a windowless conference room. I knew exactly where I preferred to be. These regular walks provide us with exercise and fresh air and I believe we are fitter and healthier as a result than we might otherwise be after 18 years of retirement.”

The couple have stayed in more than 80 different homes, in areas including Northamptonshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and areas of London including Hampstead, Kensington and Chelsea, Barnes, Putney and Wimbledon, and cared for more than 140 different types of dog breeds.

Brian adds, “Homesitting is like having lots of small holidays; up to 20 times each year we pack our bags, load the car and set off on a new adventure. The payment we receive isn’t a strong motivation but it’s nice to have. It means we can enjoy occasional pub lunches during our stays while not putting a strain on the budget.”

Homesitters Ltd are different to many other pet sitting agencies in that all their homesitters are employed by them, are fully vetted and insured, plus they provide 24/7 back up support for homesitters on assignment. Homesitters also meet clients and their pets beforehand to be briefed on the home and the pets’ routine to ensure the assignment goes smoothly.

 

Brian, Barbara and Wilfred, London, for Homesitters, 27 February 2020

 

For more information on Homesitters Ltd and to apply to become a homesitter visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

 

 

 

Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, North of England

£1.2M to support youth employment in Durham

Youth Futures Foundation has announced a new partnership with Durham County Council to boost youth employment. Set to support over 200 young people over two years, Youth Futures has awarded a £1.2m grant to Durham County Council, and its programme partner DurhamWorks.

This financial boost comes at a vital time as the cost of living crisis takes hold and one in 10 young people in the UK are out of employment (NEET), education or work. According to research by PwC and Youth Futures, UK GDP could benefit by £38billion by lowering levels of young workers classed as NEETs to German levels.

This cash injection will fund the DurhamWorks Futures programme that will support 16-24-year-olds furthest from the labour market. Young people will benefit from support to gain locally relevant skills and links to employers to secure good jobs. The programme will provide one-to-one support to develop motivation, confidence and work-readiness – alongside creating a range of employment opportunities to help young people overcome barriers to move into the world of work.

Youth Futures funding (from dormant assets) will also support the evaluation, undertaken by King’s College London, of this place-based model to tackling youth unemployment. The findings will be shared across the youth sector and with national and local policymakers to help inform and scale up effective practice and policy. This builds on Youth Futures’ recently announced £16m Connected Futures Fund, aimed at reducing the fragmentation of youth employment and skills delivery in seven places in England with high levels of youth unemployment.

The government launched a consultation on the future use of dormant assets in England, the source of Youth Futures’ funding, this month. The expanded scheme could release more than £738m additional funds. Youth Futures hopes to secure further funding to support more marginalised young people into good jobs through place-based initiatives, by working with employers, focusing on prevention and continuing to scale up effective practice by building its evidence base of what works.

Cllr Ted Henderson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said:

“It is fantastic that this funding has been secured to assist those young people in our county who are currently out of work and in need of support.

“We know how important it is that this type of help is offered so that the younger generation of job seekers can achieve their full potential. Our hope is that this programme provides a significant boost to the employment prospects of those it will work with.”

Matthew Poole, Director of Grants and Investment at Youth Futures Foundation, said:

“Young people tell us they want joined-up, consistent support that helps them gain control of their lives and get a good job. That’s why we are investing £1.2m in DurhamWorks Futures to test the most effective approaches to helping young people who face multiple challenges to secure employment.

“We will use evidence from DurhamWorks to inform youth employment policy at a national and local level. This demonstrates the vital importance of using dormant assets funding to tackle youth unemployment, through funding and learning from place-based initiatives like this in Durham.”

Jessica says DurhamWorks Futures has:

“Supported with my CV and built my self-esteem and confidence to get out and look for employment, as I don’t want education anymore. I would like something in care work.”

The project launches just months after ‘Youth Under Lockdown’ was published, a report undertaken by the Universities of Durham and Huddersfield, in partnership with Youth Futures. The report, which presented young peoples’ varied experiences of the Covid-19 lockdown, identified f the future implications of the pandemic and pressures to come for young people, particularly in respect of the labour market.

To find out more information about Youth Futures Foundation, visit: youthfuturesfoundation.org.

Healthcare, Job Opportunities, Jobs, Nursing

Become a healthcare support worker at one of the top performing trusts in the country- recruitment day at Tunbridge Wells Hospital on 23 July 2022

Healthcare support workers play a vital role in helping us deliver the very best care to our patients. If you’re Interested in this role and would like to work at one of the top performing trusts in the country and we’d love to meet you at our recruitment event at Tunbridge Wells Hospital on Saturday 23 July from 9am to 3pm.

The event is open to anyone who is interested in a career in healthcare and wants to become a healthcare support worker and join our friendly nursing teams.

Healthcare support workers help patients in a variety of ways including support with social and physical activities, personal care, mealtimes and booking appointments, as well as taking patient observations, including their temperature and pulse[i].

Joining the Trust as a healthcare support worker is an opportunity for people to learn and develop their nursing skills, in a fast-paced, very busy hospital. No qualifications or experience are necessary as full training is provided.

 

Hannah Tompsett, Deputy Chief Nurse at MTW said: “The recruitment day is a chance for people to meet our staff and find out what the role entails and what it’s like to work at the Trust. They could also walk away with a job offer on the day.

“I joined MTW earlier this year and it’s a great place to work. The Trust offers a supportive environment where people are really given the chance to develop and progress their career. It supports flexible working patterns, and there are many staff benefits to ensure an excellent work-life balance.

“We’re looking for people who want to kick start their healthcare career, return to work after a break or change careers, and we encourage people to come along and talk to our experienced nursing team about the opportunities we have.”

 

The recruitment day takes place in the reception area at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QJ on 23 July. On the day there will be a presentation about the role and the Trust, a tour of the hospital and the possibility of being interviewed for a specific role. For more information, click here.

Interested? MTW is a large acute hospital trust in Kent. The Trust provides a full range of general services and some areas of complex care to around 760,000 people in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.

MTW recently launched a major recruitment drive focused on clinical roles. This comes at an exciting time as the Trust has invested in new facilities, service developments, training centres and digital transformations. To find out more about career opportunities, go to: Home – Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (mtwcareers.com)

 

 

[i] https://www.england.nhs.uk/nursingmidwifery/healthcare-support-worker-programme/#:~:text=Healthcare%20support%20workers%20play%20a,meal%20times%2C%20booking%20appointments%20etc.

Homes, Job Opportunities, News

How homesitting could help plug the pension gap

Making up a pension shortfall is leading to more women working post retirement age. A recent study by Workingwise.co.uk revealed that 53% of women aged 45 and over said they were concerned that their pension would not be enough for them to be financially independent in later life[i].

Other research this year by online pension provider, PensionBee[ii] highlighted that women between the ages of 50 and 64 miss out on more than £90K of pension savings, with women in this age group suffering an average gender pension gap of 32%.

One option for older women wanting to continue working beyond the state pension age to plug their pension gap is to become a home sitter – a flexible role that could boost retirement income – says Ben Irvine, Director of Business Operations at Homesitters Ltd.

Enjoyable job that works well for retirees

Ben Irvine says, “Homesitting is a role that suits older people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who have retired but who want to remain active, do something purposeful and earn a bit of extra money. It’s an enjoyable job that comes with a great degree of responsibility as homesitters stay in people’s homes to take care of the home and any pets when clients go away.

“Benefits including being able to explore new areas of the country without having to pay accommodation costs, spending time with pets and meeting different people. Homesitters can also make savings on their own utility bills, especially during the winter months, plus they get paid a modest remuneration, along with mileage and a food allowance.

“Many of our homesitters are women and they find the job immensely rewarding. It’s also something they can easily fit around other commitments they may have in retirement such as looking after grand children or spending time on hobbies or other activities.”

 

Homesitters meets their  clients and pets beforehand

Homesitters Ltd are different to many other pet sitting agencies in that all their homesitters are employed by them, are fully vetted and insured, plus they provide 24/7 back up support for homesitters on assignment. Homesitters also meet clients and their pets beforehand to be briefed on the home and the pets’ routine to ensure the assignment goes smoothly.

 

Sue from Loughborough has notched up over 100 homesits

One homesitter who took on the role after retiring ten years ago is Sue Cabrelli from Loughborough who has done more than 100 homesits. Sue decided to become a homesitter after reading an interesting article. Her retirement was approaching and as she has always kept busy, she wanted a new role that would give her a sense of purpose and enjoyment.

Sue’s husband Mark still works but sometimes joins her for a few days with the client’s permission. Although Sue is very independent, she appreciates the support she receives from Homesitters Ltd. As she usually homesits alone, the company have a daily morning check in system to ensure everything is going well, along with regular weekly calls to keep in touch.

Home and pet sitting appealed because Sue adores animals. She didn’t want to own a pet in retirement because of the restrictions and ties, and wanted to be able to take breaks with her husband whenever they fancied it. Looking after animals is the biggest benefit, however she also loves exploring different parts of the country.

Sue explains, “I have visited many beautiful places that I wouldn’t have ever considered. There are wonderful rural villages throughout the UK and I love walking. When I’m on assignments I take the dogs out for long walks. If there aren’t any dogs, I just walk myself. I’m a member of the National Trust and English Heritage so there’s always somewhere special to visit. Clients often leave me information about interesting places and great walks so I’m never short of things to do. If I’m in London I try to see all the latest exhibitions.”

Sue’s most eventful assignment was in the Derbyshire Dales. It started to snow as she was driving up there and didn’t stop for two days. Although she managed to reach the house, she was snowed in for a week! Luckily, she had taken some supplies of food with her and the owner contacted her to say she could help herself to anything she needed, as the nearest shop was over ten miles away.

Sue says, “It was a lovely cosy Elizabethan house and it didn’t faze me at all being snowed in. One of my tasks was to feed the wild birds every day and it was lovely to watch amazing birds visit the patio to feed including pheasants and peahens.”

Sue has embraced a whole new flexible career since retiring and is looking forward to home and pet sitting for many more years to come. For retirees like Sue who are looking for a different type of role in retirement then Homesitters Ltd is currently recruiting.

For more information on Homesitters Ltd visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

 

[i] https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/may/09/half-of-older-women-fear-having-to-work-beyond-uk-state-pension-age-study

[ii] https://www.pensionbee.com/press/care-in-retirement-press-release-feb-2022

Healthcare, Healthcare Careers, Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, Pay & Reward, Pay and Reward

Kick start a career in the NHS by joining as a Clinical Support Worker – Open day at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust on 11th June 2022

Clinical support workers assist healthcare professionals in the delivery of patient care, taking on tasks such as welcoming and preparing patients, explaining treatments and updating patient records[i]. The role is a great opportunity for anyone interested in working for the NHS to get their first step on the ladder.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) is currently on a recruitment drive for clinical support workers and is hosting an open day on 11th June 2022 for people to find out more about what the role entails and what it’s like to work at the Trust.

People don’t need previous healthcare experience and joining as a clinical support worker could kick off a lifelong career in the NHS. It’s an opportunity to learn and develop acute care nursing skills, in a fast-paced, high patient turnover environment.

The Trust offers a supportive environment where staff members are given the chance to develop and progress their careers. New starters will attend the Trust’s Clinical Induction Programme which lasts for two weeks and involves travelling to both of the Trusts sites in Maidstone and Tunbridge, before starting work on the wards.

The open day takes place at the Reception Area, Main Entrance Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Road Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QJ on 11th June from 9am until 3pm. On the day there will be a presentation about the role and Trust, a tour of the hospital and the possibility of being interviewed for a specific role.

For more information on the recruitment event, job descriptions and main responsibilities– please click here – http://jobs.mtw.nhs.uk/job/UK/Kent/Maidstone_Tunbridge_Wells/Maidstone_Tunbridge_Wells_NHS_Trust/Tunbridge_Wells_Maidstone/Tunbridge_Wells_Maidstone-v4252681?_ts=1

MTW is a large acute hospital trust in Kent. The trust provides a full range of general services and some areas of complex care to around 760,000 people in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.

MTW recently launched a major recruitment drive focused on clinical roles. This comes at an exciting time as the trust has invested in new facilities, service developments, training centres and digital transformations. To find out more about career opportunities, go to: Home – Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (mtwcareers.com)

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[i] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff#:~:text=Healthcare%20support%20wokers,dietetic%20assistant

[ii] https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/2021/10/mtw-hits-cancer-target-2-years-in-a-row-to-place-in-top-three-performing-uk-trusts/

[iii] https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-parliamentary-awards/