Walnut Care, a Lincolnshire-based care provider, has recently introduced an innovative Home Care Cadets programme with an aim to conquer the critical shortfall of care workers throughout the county. The scheme targets youths aged 17 and 18, extending them an opportunity to receive training and firsthand experience during the summer, providing them an exclusive outlook into the care sector. A 17-year-old participant, Rachel, shared her enthusiasm for care work, remarking that “everyone is entitled to care.” However, she voiced her concerns about the industry’s lack of attraction to potential workers.
Simultaneously, Melanie Weatherley, the CEO of Walnut Care and chair of the Lincolnshire Care Association, underlined the struggles of recruiting care workers despite vast efforts, leading to longer waiting lists for those requiring care. The cadets programme trains participants in vital skills including moving and handling, as well as basic life support, preparing them for potential careers in this sector. On the other end, Abubakar Zainab, an 18-year-old participant, laid bare his ambition to succour those in need, considering the scheme as an ideal stepping stone for accumulating professional experience.
Alice Weatherley, who leads learning and development at Walnut Care, anticipates that such initiative would help transform perceptions of the care profession. She hopes to shift viewpoints from considering it as unskilled to recognising the substantial value and skill level it entails.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting provided by www.bbc.com.
