MEARS CARE AT HOME regional offices in Elgin do more than just visit local elderly and disabled people living in their own homes and provide them with the extra help they need.
They go the extra mile to ensure that clients remain independent in older age or disability. Now they have started a programme of “afternoon tea” events, held in their Elgin offices, for some of their service users.
That includes a social outing that has proved invaluable to a lady like recently widowed Margaret Lawrence.
Mears local manager Niki Leslie explained: “We started these afternoon tea events to be a bit more sociable with the people we care for.
“For one lady in particular, who was recently widowed and feeling a bit lonely, it really lifted her spirits to come out and see us all. I know we have made a real difference to her life.
“The tea events have grown arms and legs and a grant from our Mears Charity Fund enable the purchase of special tea pots and table cloths, and now the group plans a little fundraising of its own to put back some money into the charity.”
For Christmas time Mears have started to sell stars and hearts which people can write their memories on, to raise money. They are also in the process of recruiting five new care workers to work 16–20 hour weekly contracts covering people in the towns of Elgin, Hopeman, Burghead , Forres, Lhanbryde and Buckie.
The firm is also recruiting for full time contract workers – and is expanding into the Strathspey and Badenoch areas at Dufftown, where they are looking to recruit five new members to the team to support older folks in that area to live independently in their own homes.
Niki Leslie, local manager for Mears, said: ”These new positions would suit someone with experience in care at home, but we also provide training for those with no previous experience.
“Mears has great opportunities for career progression, with training offered for SVQs in care. The positions offer flexible working, part time contracts, and weekend work.
“We know that our teams get enormous satisfaction from working directly with people, who appreciate their support. What care workers do makes a real difference to their quality of life.”
Car drivers are preferred, but not essential, for the geographical coverage of the area.
Services include respite care, re-enablement care following an episode of illness, or stay in hospital, domiciliary care for day to day domestic and personal support, 24 hour live-in care as well as palliative care services.
“We offer very flexible working patterns and good rates of pay above the National Living wage, and there are opportunities for part-time and shift work,” added Niki.
Anyone interested in applying for these positions please call the Elgin office on 01343 544920.