Pandemic spurs job creation at Belong Warrington care village

DEMENTIA care specialist Belong has launched a new recruitment drive, creating 40 jobs across the North West, including opportunities for people living near its Warrington village.

Throughout the care sector, regular Covid-19 testing, enhanced cleaning routines and the impact of colleague self-isolation are all factors driving care providers to expand their teams and Belong is bolstering colleague numbers to continue to ensure the highest quality of care for its village residents and customers receiving support within their own homes.
Speaking of this, Claire Bibby, general manager at Belong Warrington, said: “Clearly, we are all learning to adapt to Covid-19 and for Belong, this has brought increased demands, both in caring roles and a range of administrative and housekeeping functions. In launching this recruitment drive, we are gearing up for the future and ensuring we continue to provide high quality support to our residents and customers.”
Applicants have a number of options to help make a difference to others’ lives, including roles in care and hospitality at the Loushers Lane village and community support worker roles providing home care under the ‘Belong at Home’ service. Those who are successful will benefit from dedicated mentors whilst they gain experience and where applicable, qualifications for entry level support workers.
Last year, Belong shortened its application process by increasing its use of technology and digital channels, including carrying out interviews via video calling and accepting identification and DBS documentation via messaging apps. As a result, the average time from application to appointment was reduced significantly and Belong welcomed new colleagues from a range of backgrounds who changed their career paths, including couriers, retail workers and even from the airline industry.
The launch of the campaign comes after the successful completion of the first doses of Covid-19 vaccinations for Belong staff and residents, last month. Further, last year the group was also accredited ‘Gold’ by Investors in People for investment in colleagues and its handling of the pandemic throughout the seven Belong care villages across the North West.
Claire continued: “While there are a number of ‘administrative’ impacts of Covid-19, our biggest area of focus remains on resident wellbeing, and supporting residents to lead active, fulfilling lives, and maintaining their relationships with family and friends in the wider community. Our focus across all recruitment is finding people who share our values and are inspired to make a difference to the lives of older people.”
For more information on job vacancies visit https://www.belong.org.uk/jobs/vacancies