Wellbeing Assistant

Independent lives; Forest Row; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A personal care service in Forest Row seeks a Wellbeing Assistant to provide essential support. You will assist with day-to-day activities, ensure a safe and clean environment, and maintain the wellbeing of a disabled individual. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to support those with long-term conditions. Previous experience is not required, but life experience and the right values are essential. Flexibility and motivation are key to succeed in this role.

Qualifications

• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties.
• Good interpersonal skills for effective communication.
• Able to support those living with long-term conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support with cleaning and laundry, especially hygiene.
• Assist with food and meal preparation and hydration.
• Help with getting to and from appointments.
• Provide housekeeping and stock control support.
• Wear PPE as required for safety.

Skills

Motivated and flexible

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to work on a one-to-one basis

Fit and healthy to undertake required duties

Understanding of needs for long-term conditions

Education

Life experience and right values

Job description

Overview

Wellbeing Assistants are a deeply valued and essential part of my life, helping me to live day to day, not just survive.

To explain a bit more about me, and the role, I thought it might be helpful to hand over to Wellbeing Assistants currently doing the job, this is what they said.

Kind, caring, loyal and supportive

"First and foremost I would say that M needs a kind, caring, and loyal companion, to help assist with her needs, support her health, and support her wellbeing."

"It is important … to help create a positive environment around her." "…and be good companion, supporting nurturing conversation."

Assist with things M is no longer able to do, or needs help doing

"Essentially I am an extension of M, and assist with things she is unable to do on a practical level, like managing her environment, nutrition, and getting her to places such as appointments…"

".. support with getting out, so that she can enjoy the beauty of her garden, and get some fresh air…"

"… help with exercises, so that she can stay motivated to build up her strength, and confidence in getting around."

"…and any other practical things like shopping, posting parcels, filling in forms, reading letters and so on."

Routine with some change in priorities

"Mostly it's a routine based job, but sometimes things crop up that need to be done in the moment, so it can change from day to day..."

"…M will tell you if there are any particular priorities for the session, for example, if it has been very hot and dry the pots and some of the plants may need watering."

Maintain a safe and clean environment, and prepare food and meals safely

"Because M's immune system is not working as well as most peoples immune systems work, it's important that she has a very clean environment…"

"…we have developed a very particular way of doing things, and it's important that everyone carries this through, to ensure that M's space is cared for the way she needs it to be."

and "…to help keep her feeling safe …"

"Food hygiene is also very important, to avoid any contamination all food is carefully dealt with, in terms of washing and the way it's cooked, and to ensure that everything is kept very safe."

Social care not healthcare

"Medically M is incredibly on top of her condition. It is very complex. Although she is physically disabled, cognitively she is very sharp, and the conversations we have are full of humour."

"Obviously there are times when M is feeling unwell, and we have to adapt the support we give…"

"… other than very basic things like knowing how to alert LifeLine, dropping off samples, or collecting prescriptions, we are not expected to undertake healthcare duties, this is all managed by M and other people."

Mutual trust and respect

"I really respect the fact that she likes everything in order, because not only does it help us assist, but it also helps her maintain independence, especially with limited eyesight and mobility, so I feel very happy to support that."

"… it's easy to take things for granted, especially when you know you don't have to have such a tight ship around you, but when you're in the situation that M is in all these things really matter, and I really respect that."

"M encourages us to ask questions, and help one another if we can."

"….its very easy to establish a relationship with M…she likes researching things!"

"I feel very supported by M as my employer, and I feel that, it's a nice feeling."

Duties

• Cleaning and laundry (this aspect of the role is very important as I have a weakened immune system)
• Support with meeting hydration needs, and some food and meal preparation
• Housekeeping, including shopping, stock control, organising cupboards, plant care
• Support with getting to and from appointments
• Induction with existing W/PAs, and on-the-job support and training is provided.
• This role will include wearing PPE (scrubs, masks, indoor clogs), which is provided.

You are invited to join a small team of Wellbeing Assistants that have been with me for many years. You don't need previous care experience, but you will need life experience and the right set of values., Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality

Qualifications

• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
• Professional
• Motivated and flexible
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work on a one-to-one basis
• The ability to listen and learn
• An understanding and receptive to the challenges and needs of those living with a long-term condition, including physical disabilities
• An understanding and receptive to infection prevention and control requirements for those vulnerable to infection and respiratory disease transmission, All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required.
• Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .