Support at Home Worker-Preston

Hours: Flexible hours to suit between Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Average working hours are between 16 and 20 per week.

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of older people? Our Support At Home service works with customers in their own homes, it’s a rewarding role and through practical and emotional support, assists older people in remaining active, independent, and connected to their local community.

About us: Age UK Lancashire are a leading Charity, proudly delivering services to over 20,000 older people across Lancashire each year, we are dedicated to supporting and empowering older adults to live fulfilling and independent lives. We are committed to providing innovative and impactful services that address the evolving needs of older people in our community.

About the role: As a Support at Home Worker, you will provide regular visits to your own customers in their homes, providing a service that meets the needs of the customer, whether that is through cleaning, laundry, shopping, collecting prescriptions or providing emotional support. We are looking for someone who is caring, compassionate, reliable and has a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people. You need to be self-motivated and committed, with a flexible attitude and good organisation skills.

Flexible working hours are available, with the option of increasing working hours depending on the need in your geographical location. The service operates between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, with no Bank Holiday, evening, or weekend working. While this is a ‘flexible zero hours’ contract, we are looking for someone who can commit to a minimum availability of 16 hours per week which provides continuity and consistency for the people who need us. We will aim to provide you with over 16 hours work per week where possible.

As the Support at Home Worker you will:

• Deliver a high quality, punctual, reliable and professional service to our customers in their own homes.
• Undertake a range of tasks as required by the customer to include:
• Day to day household cleaning including hoovering, dusting, laundry, changing bed linen etc.
• Shopping, on behalf of, or assisting the customer.
• Companionship including walks and social activities, respite for carers, and signposting support.
• Establish and maintain positive and professional relationships with customers, their families, and carers, ensuring all communication is clear and professional.
• To maximise the reach of Support at Home service, you will work with the coordinator to develop and grow your local customer base.
• Support the team by providing holiday cover when available.
• You may be required to handle cash for customers shopping in line with Age UK Lancashire's Support at Home Service procedures.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A caring and empathetic attitude with a focus on helping people.
• Ability to lone work / work on own initiative.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Digital skills - including the use of a smart phone, emails.
• Able to undertake general physical activity in people’s homes (often over 2 floors) for example hoovering, changing bedding and carrying shopping.
• Valid driving licence and use of a car for business purpose.

This role covers the North Preston area where you will work remotely making visits, working in clients’ homes. You may occasionally be required to attend meetings in one of Age UK Lancashire’s offices.

What’s in it for you?

• Full training and comprehensive induction to ensure you have the support you need to succeed and thrive in your new role.
• A friendly and inclusive culture.
• 25 days annual leave increasing to 30 with length of service + bank holidays.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
• Financial wellbeing and planning support.
• Staff discount card for hundreds of High Street shops and online services.
• Travel expenses will be paid for all journeys required for work, excluding travel from home to base.

This post is eligible for an enhanced DBS Check, and all the associated costs will be met by the employee.

Closing Date: 10.00am Monday 28th September. Interview date: TBA.

At Age UK Lancashire we recognise that technology is changing the way people apply for jobs and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool to support your journey. However, it’s important to ensure your application still reflects your own voice, skills and experience. AI should support, not replace, your experience. Always review AI-generated content carefully and be ready to talk about it in interviews.

Equality & Diversity: Age UK Lancashire are committed to ensuring that all job applicants and members of staff are treated equally, without discrimination because of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.