Southport firm invests £100k in recruitment campaign

THE fast growing Alcedo Care Group, who are based out of a busy Regional Office on Hoghton Street, in Southport, has invested £100,000 in the development of a purpose built corporate vehicle to support its ambitious expansion plans and recruit more than 1,000 new home care professionals from across the North West by the end of 2022.

Purchase of the low wheelbase exhibition style vehicle underlines Alcedo's commitment to an unprecedented recruitment drive, enabling the company to take its brand:- 'on the road' to recruit more than 100 new people to join the Southport office team by the end of this year.

The 1st of its kind in the care industry, the vehicle has been designed and fully fitted to a bespoke specification featuring an office style meeting room, wall-mounted television screen and a reception area, with welcome refreshments.

Group head of recruitment for Alcedo Care, John Townley, explains:- "The new vehicle will really support our focus on recruitment ensuring we stand apart from others in the industry and achieve our goal of employing 1,000 new people by the end of this year. As we continue to grow and expand, we need to recruit the right people with shared values and standards who may be looking for a new and exciting career in care and are really looking forward to getting out across Southport. Having our own purpose built portable office enables us to get out into local communities and really engage with people, communicating the exceptional range of care services that we provide and our commitment to continued professional development and career opportunities for the right people. We will also be able to interview and process applications for the right people who step on board."

A full time Events Manager, Adam Garvey, has already been appointed to manage the day to day logistics of the vehicle and coordinate its activities across the Region starting with a visit to each of Alcedo's 13 offices and attendance at large organised events this summer including:- the Southport Flower Show in August and annual Blackpool illuminations switch on in September.

Collaborations and partnerships will also be developed with Schools, Colleges and Universities, large supermarkets and leisure attractions, local job centres, return to work providers and charitable or not for profit organisations.

Events Manager, Adam Garvey added:- "With significant expansion our goal over the next 3 years, we need to grow our team by at least 1,000 individuals annually which equals to approximately 10 people per office per month. Those looking for a fulfilling new career in care should keep an eye out for our vehicle as it will be coming to an event or Town Centre near them in the very near future."

For up to date details of the recruitment vehicle's schedule of appearances across the Region, please visit the Alcedo Care Group social media channels.

Recently rated 1 of the Top 20 home care groups for the 3rd year running by leading reviews website homecare.co.uk, 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 1,000-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.

Support continues for Hong Kongers building new lives in the UK

HONG Kong British National (Overseas) [BN(O)s] status holders building new lives in the UK will continue to receive vital support after the Government confirmed the next phase of the Welcome Programme. The package will help individuals and their families on the BN(O) visa to come and settle in the UK. Since its launch at the start of 2021, over 123,000 eligible Hong Kongers and their family members have chosen to take up this offer and applied for the BN(O) visa.

The Welcome Programme will continue to provide:-

►  A further £3 million for over 40 voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to deliver their national and Regional projects across mental health, social integration, employability and tackling hate crime.

►  £3.6 million more to continue the network of 12 Welcome Hubs across the UK which support people to get to know and connect with services in their local area.

►  Further support for English language classes, and destitution support for those who need it (England only).

►  Updates to the Welcome pack on:- GOV.UK, available in English and Cantonese.

Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark said:- "We have strong ties with the people of Hong Kong and we want those who have chosen to build a home here to be supported to settle successfully. I'm pleased that our new neighbours will continue to benefit from the expert support of Councils, dedicated welcome hubs and fantastic grassroots projects thanks to this funding."

Since February, VCSE organisations have been providing much needed support across the country, making a huge difference to people's lives, including:-

►  Help for parents and carers who want to know which Schools to send their children to and how to connect with other parents;

►  Help to get into work - across the UK, there have been seminars, 1 to 1 coaching sessions and entrepreneur networking events to boost skills, confidence and provide interview practice to help people get jobs that match their experience;

►  A dedicated mental health helpline to support young people and adults who may be struggling to start over in a new country;

►  A range of events and activities to integrate BN(O)s, including:- art classes, visits to museums, and organised walks around Cities, with opportunities for communities to learn about Hong Kong culture through Dragon Boat festivals and Lunar New Year celebrations.

One such project is FaithAction, which runs a Café Connect space in Solihull for arrivals from Hong Kong to meet others in the community, and direct them to local support and advice.

One arrival said:- "Café Connect is a very good place for me because I want to know about English history and culture. I want to be part of life here. It's good that I can speak to English people as my understanding improves and 1 day I will speak to everyone like they do."

Wai Yin Society, based in Manchester, helped Ms L who arrived in the UK from Hong Kong in 2021 with her husband and daughter and was feeling disorientated and socially isolated. They helped her to get a job as a lunch time assistant at a local School and are now supporting her to complete a food hygiene course to help build on her existing skills.  

Ms L said:- "I'm happy that Wai Yin gave me advice and support."  

One individual accessing support from Hongkongers in Britain through their CV writing clinic said:- "It was very helpful since the speaker told me about the job seeking culture in the UK that I didn't know before. I could understand more because the speaker spoke in Cantonese, and also understood what a Hongkonger might be concerned about when finding a job. It is not only about polishing a CV, but also helping me gain more confidence to get a job."

This announcements means that organisations can extend their support to reach more individuals and provide tailored services to meet their needs.

The Welcome Programme is also providing funding to create a reporting and support service for Hong Kongers and all other East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK who experience racism or any forms of hate.:- 'On Your Side', led by Protection Approaches alongside a consortium of community organisations, will be launching soon.

The Welcome Hubs across the UK will continue to provide practical advice and support in English and Cantonese through their websites, 1 to 1 sessions and local support networks.

Councils across England, which are already playing a key role to ensure BN(O) status holders are warmly welcomed and supported, will continue to provide targeted English language and destitution support where the help is needed.