Guardian Homecare backs Bisto’s Spare Chair Sunday campaign

STAFF at a care provider operating in Exeter are getting behind a campaign to help beat loneliness among the elderly this month (November 2019).

Guardian Homecare is supporting Bisto’s Spare Chair Sunday campaign and is encouraging people to offer a place at their next Sunday Lunch to an older person who would otherwise be eating alone.

Manager at Guardian Homecare, Catherine Porter said: “Sundays are traditionally a day for getting together with the family and sharing a delicious roast dinner, but, for one in seven elderly people, it can be one of the loneliest days of the week, which is why we’re supporting The Bisto Together Project and Contact the Elderly’s campaign.

“We want people across Devon to offer a chair at their dinner table to an elderly guest in a bid to help combat loneliness. It could really make someone’s day and you could end up making a great new friend, who you can share food and conversation with on a regular basis.”

Guardian Homecare delivers personalised home care in the Exeter area supporting people wishing to stay living safely and comfortably in their own homes. 

Catherine added: “Many of our team are getting behind the project and offering a chair at their own Sunday lunch table to any service users who might be alone and are mobile. The campaign says that 40% of those aged 70 plus in Britain are skipping meals due to loneliness and this is shocking.

“One in three Brits don’t know their own neighbours. So, just like the campaign, we’re asking people in Devon to open their doors, to help trust grow and communities to flourish.”

Anyone can take part in the Spare Chair Sunday campaign, but having easy access into your home and a downstairs toilet is essential. People can find out more about the campaign at www.bistotogetherproject.com.

 “People who take part in the Spare Chair Sunday campaign are the types of caring and good-natured people we want working for us. They have a natural affinity to care and we would encourage them to consider taking on a position in the industry with us or even just working a few hours per week to help an elderly person in their home.

“We provide a valuable service to the people of Devon and new staff are needed on a daily basis. We offer free, full training and the opportunity for career advancement. We’re also very flexible with working hours, so if anyone is interested in joining the team, they should get in touch with us for more information.”

Guardian Homecare employs nearly 200 domiciliary carers in south Devon to look after its service users in their own homes and is currently searching for 100 new honest and kind-hearted individuals to help add to its teams.

Catherine added: “Being a carer is a highly skilled, professional vocational occupation that is essential to the fabric of our society. With a job for life like this, people can start at the very bottom and work their way up and we will offer them full training and access to industry-leading qualifications.

“No experience is necessary to become a carer, as free, full training is provided. We offer new recruits a five-day training induction and a 12-week on-board programme working towards a care certificate. We also offer flexible working hours, both full and part-time, as well as competitive wages and generous holiday allocation.”

Guardian Homecare offers training and the opportunity for internal advancement. Anyone who joins the team can create a career path using the different qualifications they achieve.

“It is a great opportunity for people to achieve a recognised qualification and they’ll also be able to have access to exclusive discounts online and in-store from retailers including Tesco, Primark and Argos.”

New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for many major brands, as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.

For further details, please visit www.guardianhomecare.org.uk.