PM2282 Personal Assistant

Dewis Centre for Independent Living; Wales; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support service in the UK seeks a Part-Time Personal Assistant to provide domestic support and assistance with daily activities. This role involves light cleaning, meal preparation, and transportation to appointments. Ideal candidates will have strong organisational and cooking skills, be flexible, and enjoy a chatty and friendly environment. A love for cats is essential as the role involves caring for the owner's indoor cat.

Qualifications

• Must like cats and keep the indoor cat safe.
• Flexible with varying shifts and days.
• Comfortable washing and drying hair.

Responsibilities

• Assist with cleaning and light household duties.
• Provide meal preparation and cooking.
• Support with medical appointments and social activities.

Skills

Organisational skills

Cleaning/housework skills

Cooking skills

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

JOB DESCRIPTION

Part-Time Personal Assistant

A LITTLE ABOUT MYSELF

I’m a woman in my early 50s living in Ferndale after spending most of my life in London and Sussex and I love the beauty of the valleys. I was a university lecturer before I became chronically ill, having studied in London and Cambridge Universities. I am now an editor and award-winning writer of novels, stories and poetry who works from home.

I’m well-travelled, quirky, feminist and left-wing and my rescue cat, Muse, who is now about twenty, is the heart of my home, along with my extensive collection of vintage art, furniture, glass, ceramics, clothes and my many books!

I’m warm and friendly and love a chat, but also need a lot of rest and quiet due to my many health conditions, so I spend a lot of time at home and I love true crime and other documentaries, as well as listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

You will provide me with support within my home, assisting with general day-to-day requirements, as well as social based activities.

Hours

6 hours per week, over two days. Days and times will vary from one week to the next.

Rates

£15.00 per hour

40p mileage allowance when you use your car

Responsibilities

I have a lot of chronic pain and limited energy and struggle to stay on top of my home, so I would like help with light cleaning of my bathroom and kitchen and hoovering (I have allergies, asthma and immune issues, so this is important for my health and my general wellbeing as I am housebound a lot).

Other light household duties, such as laundry and folding/putting away clean washing.

Changing bedding as and when required.

Supporting me to wash and style my hair as I am finding it hard to do it more than monthly at the moment and it causes itching an discomfort and I am generally a pretty glam person who likes dressing up and wearing red lipstick and eyeliner (though you may often see me in joggers and PJs – psst, don’t tell!).

General organisation of my home would help. For example, I’d like to make more space in my spare room for my cat to use (very spoilt!) and so I can try to use exercise equipment in there. I will probably need to buy a cupboard to put some clothes in, but I might put it elsewhere for now, plus I need to look at what might be donated, sold or binned.

Cleaning up areas that have been used, such as the kitchen or bathroom, once a task has been completed.

Assistance to plan various appointments, such as medical tests and others as I have brain fog and can get confused or overwhelmed by putting everything together.

If you can drive me to medical or other well-being appointments, that would be a great benefit as I find public transport challenging and exhausting with mobility issues and a stick. (I could pay for petrol or even lunches out in this case.)

I’d also like to be supported to go places as I sometimes find it hard to go out alone and I’m interested in swimming, yoga classes and possibly church services nearby, if I can find the energy to go!

Assistance with meal preparation, preparing healthy, nutritious meals as I can no longer cook like I did. I am vegan due to high cholesterol, but am happy to advise on how to make a basic chilli and so on and obviously provide ingredients.

Possible collection of my medications (usually monthly, unless delivery can be arranged) and some occasional small shopping for items.

Type of person required

A person with strong organisational and cleaning/housework skills who can help me keep my home a good place to be.

I am a friendly, chatty person, so I’d like to employ someone who is similar with a confident, direct approach to communication and who is not judgemental about my home or lifestyle.

Someone with general cooking skills who can prepare a fresh vegan meal or even just a cup of tea or snack, if I am particularly poorly (I am sometimes bedbound).

Someone who is comfortable washing and drying my hair.

Must like cats and not let my beloved pet, Muse, out, such as by leaving open windows or doors as she is an indoor cat and we live on a main road so this would be very dangerous (this is the most important rule of the house!).

You must be flexible, understanding that shifts, days and times may change with short notice as I sometimes have very bad days which may mean I need to stay in bed and sleep.

Someone who will appreciate that I may sometimes need to have peace to work whilst tasks are done elsewhere in the house as I do have deadlines and projects to complete.

I have a lot of vintage and other beautiful things, so the right person needs to appreciate that and be careful, though I obviously know accidents can happen from time to time.

A car owner/driver who is willing to use car for work purposes so I can attend medical appointments and social activities.

About the job

This position is subject to satisfactory references and a DBS Disclosure (Police Check), which must be completed prior to the commencement of employment. The cost of this check will be covered by the Local Authority.

All necessary checks will be conducted to verify that any candidate has the legal right to work in the UK before employment begins.

Although this is a part-time role, it is a legitimate position requiring the submission of a National Insurance number. Employment will commence under an initial trial period.

Wages will be paid on a monthly and appropriate holiday pay will be provided.

Please note: Dewis Centre for Independent Living is acting on behalf of a third party and will not serve as your employer or be liable for any issues arising from your employment should you be offered the position.