Mopeds to help solve staff shortages in Southport

AN innovative and forward thinking home care provider has come up with a creative solution that could help ease the care crisis in Southport. With the sector facing a daunting shortage of approximately 105,000 workers nationally (Skills for Care), Alcedo Care Group is trialling a new initiative and have purchased 5 new mopeds for employees to use during work hours, representing an investment of more than ₤20,000.

Currently only 10% of the company’s workforce are walkers, however, more than 50% of applicants received recently for new jobs are non-drivers. By purchasing the mopeds, Alcedo Care is now able to recruit people it would not have otherwise been able to, allowing the fast growing firm to achieve its goal of recruiting 100 people per month.

The company is paying for employees to undertake the nationally recognised CBT course, ensuring they are compliant and legally able to drive the mopeds. It is also providing comprehensive insurance and full safety equipment, including:- gloves, a jacket and helmet, so that they are fully protected when using the mopeds to visit clients.

Furthermore, Alcedo Care has also just significantly increased its starting salary for carers, which will ultimately make a career in care much more appealing for those already working in the sector, but more importantly, for those who perhaps work in hospitality or retail. With increased pay, full training provided and now free transport available, Alcedo Care hopes to attract people outside of the sector into care, reducing staff shortages and playing its part in solving the care crisis.

Andy Boardman, Managing Director at Alcedo Care Group, comments: "This is a pilot scheme for Alcedo Care, but we really do believe the mopeds will help with our recruitment drive throughout 2022. With plans to employ 1000 people and having noticed that more than half of all applicants were non-drivers, we needed to come up with a viable solution that helps our team get around to our clients. The mopeds, combined with our comprehensive training programme and increased pay, means we no longer need to focus on solely recruiting people from within the care sector. Our offer will appeal to those in all sectors, such as hospitality, and by doing so, we are helping to ease some of the staff shortages in the Region."

If the pilot scheme works well, Alcedo has made a commitment to purchasing many more mopeds, ensuring there are between 10 to 20 vehicles located at each of Alcedo Care’s 11 offices.

Established in 2017, Alcedo Care offers Domiciliary Care Services, Live in Care, Nurse Led Complex Care Services, Supported Living and Children’s Services and has fast gained an enviable reputation as the home care provider of choice in the North West thanks to its superb 700 strong team of highly skilled and compassionate carers who make a tangible difference to the quality of life of the company’s home care clients.

Run by passionate husband and wife team, Andy and Jo Boardman, and with the support of their fantastic management team, the company is expanding at pace and aims to double in size over the next 12 months with the recruitment of more than 1,000 new carers. For more information on the home care services provided by Alcedo Care, or to enquire about a fulfilling and rewarding new career in care, please visit- AlcedoCare.Co.UK.
 

Jamie Carragher says 'let’s get boosted’ as he grabs a jab

FORMER Liverpool Football Club player, Jamie Carragher recently paid a visit to a vaccination site in Sefton to get his Covid19 booster jab and encouraged others to get their Vaccines. Jamie booked his booster jab at Netherton Health Centre as soon as he was eligible after his second dose of the Vaccine to help increase his protection from the virus. He chatted to staff on site and shared a printed message to local residents saying:- 'Let’s get boosted.'

Jenny Macoy is site manager at the Covid19 vaccination centre, run by GP practices working together as part of the local primary care network. She welcomed the football star and thanked him for helping support the NHS’ message to get protected from Covid19. She said:- "It’s wonderful when someone like Jamie sets a great example by getting protected both for himself and his community. So many people, especially young people, in Sefton look up to him and will hopefully decide to follow in his footsteps and get vaccinated. It’s not too late to get your booster jab or even your first or second dose, so check if you’re eligible and get booked in today."

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, congratulated NHS staff, volunteers and members of the armed forces for achieving the Government’s target to offer every eligible adult in England a booster jab by the end of 2021. She said:- "In my eyes our vaccination teams and NHS colleagues are champions, pulling out all the stops to get so many people protected in such a short period of time. We can all do our bit to help support our NHS staff by getting vaccinated to help stop the spread of the virus. Thank you to everybody who has come forward for their jabs so far."

Around 79% of eligible adults in England have now received their booster jab including approximately 90% of eligible people aged 50 and over. Those now eligible to book a booster are people who had their second Covid19 Vaccine at least 3 months ago, and are:-

► Aged 16 and over.

► Aged 12 to 15 with a health condition that puts them at high risk from Covid19, or who live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

► Those eligible for their booster Vaccine can also pre-book a booster appointment from 2 months after their 2nd dose.

Anyone who has caught the Covid19 virus will need to wait before getting their next dose of the Vaccine. If you’ve had a positive Covid19 test and you are eligible for a booster jab you are advised to:-

► Wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 years old or over.

► Wait 12 weeks (84 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old.

► Wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old and at high risk from Covid19.

To find local vaccination sites in Sefton, visit the NHS South Sefton CCG website.  To find out more about who is eligible for the Covid19 booster Vaccine, and to find a walk in vaccination site or book an appointment through the national booking system, visit the NHS website.