The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the UK surged to 2.6 million between March and June 2020, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Sectors such as aviation, hospitality and retail have seen workers furloughed or made redundant. Whilst many will return to the same work when furlough ends and demand increases, for some people life, ambitions and aspirations have been altered forever. Key-worker status, the 'clap for carers' and the publicity around care workers and their importance to communities have all highlighted the varied and rewarding roles in care. If Covid-19 has changed the way you think about work, now could be the ideal time to move into a role in care.

The 'Push and Pull' - Reasons why Covid-19 might mean care work is right for you;

Dehumanising

Some employers have behaved better than others in the pandemic. Whilst many companies have supported workers and kept them updated with developments and plans, some businesses have put 'profits before people' and forgotten how valuable an asset their employees really are. At Right at Home Portsmouth, you could be part of a small team, work flexibly and be treated as an individual.

Localism

If you've been working from home and found yourself not missing the commute, the traffic and the daily journey away, perhaps now is the time to consider a change. People close by, your neighbours and families need your help in supporting independent living for elderly people.  You could make a difference every day right where you live. Right at Home Portsmouth has clients across the city and into Denmead, Waterlooville and Hambledon.

Meaningful work

Perhaps time away from corporate life or big business has left you feeling that you weren't really missed! Working in person-centred care means that you make a difference to someone's life with every single interaction. Good quality care work with Right at Home Portsmouth gives you a minimum of one hour with every client, and often much longer. You will meet fascinating valued members of your own community who need your help to enjoy an independent life at home.

A desire to belong

From your first enquiry, through phone calls and interview, Right at Home Portsmouth brings its person-centred philosophy to potential employees too. We will help you explore transferable skills and see whether working in care could be a good fit for you. As a family run business, you will feel part of a team, choose hours to suit your lifestyle and have access to incentive, bonus and wellbeing schemes.

If Covid-19 has left you at a 'career crossroads', take a fresh look at careers with Right at Home Portsmouth.

Right at Home Portsmouth's Training and Wellbeing manager Matthew Whitbread joined us in July from a large airline where he flew as cabin crew and worked in employee wellbeing.

Matthew said “ The pandemic forced me to focus on my career and future direction. Around February as flying was reduced, I applied to Right at Home Portsmouth for some live-in care work. The team were incredibly supportive and helped me realise that many of my skills were transferable. After a conversation and interview, I joined a friendly induction course that prepared us with a strong foundation for care work. By May, even though my airline role was not under threat of redundancy, I made the decision that Right at Home Portsmouth was a place that I wanted to work. I've left the airline and started work as Training and Wellbeing manager. Care work provides meaningful and varied work. You don't need to have experience in the sector, just a willingness to transfer your skills and learn new ones."