It’s time to prove that Cornwall really is proud to care! 

People who need care and support in Cornwall are calling on everyone who can, to urgently step up and apply for a role in Cornwall’s care sector.

The call for more carers comes as Cornwall faces an unprecedented demand for care and support during the Coronavirus emergency.

Cornwall Council is mobilising as many workers as it can spare, as well as leading the recruitment campaign, working closely with its arms-length company, Corserv, Volunteer Cornwall , Cornwall Adult Health and Social Care Learning Partnership (CAHSC) and other partners to ensure that the people who need help don’t miss out on vital care.

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for adults, Cllr Rob Rotchell said: “This recruitment campaign comes as Cornwall steps up its effort to address the strain that Coronavirus is putting on its residents.

“As the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust has started to prepare for the demand on its resources, the council, and the whole of Cornwall’s population has a part to play in supporting them. We are currently in the process of increasing the capacity of beds in our care sector to make sure that people are able to leave hospital much quicker. We are also looking at how we can redirect some of our current staff into these vital roles to make sure the most vulnerable in our society are cared for. Across the Corserv Group, 30 employees have already redeployed to various areas to support the efforts, and more people will be joining them next week.

“We now need as many people in Cornwall as possible to think about how they can help. A large number of people have already registered their interest and availability to help with Volunteer Cornwall, which is great to see, and we are working closely with them to see how many of those people could help in the care sector, with many paid roles available. We are now asking any of you who are currently unemployed or have time to spare to think about whether you could help people in their time of need. There is also a strong message for anyone who has worked in care before, now is the time to re-join. We need you.”

Andy Brelsford from Volunteer Cornwall said: “It’s been an amazing response from Cornwall so far with over 2000 people already getting in touch in the last few weeks, all wanting to help people in their community. Being able to signpost some of these people to paid employment is also a bonus when so many people are facing sudden unemployment.”

Cllr Rotchell added: “With Cornwall’s ‘super-ageing’ population there was already a considerable shortage of carers to meet the demand needed, and it’s now more important than ever that get these roles filled as soon as possible so that no one in Cornwall is left alone and uncared for.

“I’d also like to pass on my heartfelt, grateful thanks to the carers already going above and beyond by continuing to help those who can’t look after themselves at the moment. They are providing a vital service and their efforts in this current crisis will be remembered by us all for the years to come. I’d also like to thank CAHSC for all of their hard work in supporting this programme of work.”

CAHSC have led work with providers to develop a comprehensive induction programme to ensure that all those who are recruited have the essential skills and knowledge required for the role and there are plenty of opportunities for this to become a permanent role in the future.

If you can help then please visit the Proud to Care Cornwall website and apply as soon as possible.

If you would like to help but only in a volunteer capacity then please visit the Volunteer Cornwall website