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- Tasks: Join us as a Housekeeper or Laundry Assistant, keeping our care home clean and hygienic.
- Company: Friends of the Elderly is a charity with over 120 years of experience in caring for older people.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension plans, wellbeing support, and discounts to make your salary stretch further.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while working in a vibrant, state-of-the-art facility.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring a good standard of English and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Be part of a new care home community opening in July 2025, shaping its culture and success.
The predicted salary is between 12000 - 18000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent, Part time – 31.5 hours per week (average), 9 hour shifts.
Working Pattern: Days - working on rolling rota of 3 consecutive days on and 3 consecutive days off (8am to 5pm).
About Us
Friends of the Elderly (FotE) is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over 120 years. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.
About Friends Place, Calcot
Due to open in July 2025, Friends Place, Calcot will be more than just a care home - it will be a vibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care. Run by Friends of the Elderly, where we pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our home will feature:
- A cinema for residents to enjoy movie nights and entertainment.
- A stylish salon offering professional pampering.
- A peaceful library for reading and reflection.
- A vibrant bar for socialising and relaxation.
The modern facilities are designed to create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.
Joining us as a Housekeeper or Laundry Assistant, you will help keep the care home clean and ensure that we offer high standards of hygiene of household and residents’ personal laundry. You will be responsible for general domestic duties such as vacuuming, polishing tables and office surfaces, wiping armchairs and dining chairs, and emptying bins and helping to run the laundry service.
Self-motivated and resilient, a team player who is willing to go the extra mile, you will take pride in your work, ensuring residents are at the heart of our service. Knowledge of COSHH and Health & Safety would be beneficial but by no means essential. A good standard of English and number skills are required for this role, and you will be comfortable using various forms of digital technology to be able to complete online training. No prior experience is needed, as we will give you all the training you will need to excel in this role!
This isn’t just a job; it’s about making a difference to older people’s lives every day.
Why Join Friends of the Elderly?
- Heritage of Care: Work with a trusted organisation backed by over a century of expertise.
- Non-Profit Mission: Be part of a charity that prioritises people, not profit.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Lead a cutting-edge care home designed for comfort and community.
- Professional Development: Access training and career development opportunities.
Make Your Mark
This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture and success of a brand-new care home, leaving a lasting impact on residents’ lives and the community.
In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:
- Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
- Generous annual leave.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives, including an employee assistance programme.
- Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
- Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won.
- Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further.
- Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earned.
- Health cash plans for you and your family.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Long service awards that increase with length of service.
- Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
- Uniforms are provided.
- Free DBS checks.
Safeguarding: Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity’s core values, and is central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.
Criminal record checks: As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other’s differences. Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts and retains the best people. People that care and can make a difference.
We currently do not provide sponsorship but we welcome applications from those who have a right to work in the UK. Don’t delay in sending your application as we may need to close the vacancy early if we manage to appoint before the advertising closing date. We interview applicants as they apply.
Housekeeper and Laundry Assistant employer: Blue Octopus
Contact Detail:
Blue Octopus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housekeeper and Laundry Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Friends of the Elderly. Understanding their commitment to providing compassionate care will help you align your responses during any interviews, showcasing your passion for making a difference in the lives of older people.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your ability to work as part of a team. Since this role involves collaboration with other staff members, emphasising your teamwork skills can set you apart. Think of examples from past experiences where you contributed positively to a group effort.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your willingness to learn and adapt. As no prior experience is needed, showing enthusiasm for training and development opportunities can make you an attractive candidate. Be prepared to discuss how you approach learning new skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your understanding of hygiene standards and safety practices. Even if you don't have formal knowledge of COSHH or Health & Safety, showing that you are aware of their importance in a care environment can demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
We think you need these skills to ace Housekeeper and Laundry Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Housekeeper and Laundry Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and attributes align with what Friends of the Elderly is looking for.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your passion for working with older people and your commitment to providing high standards of hygiene and care. Use specific examples from your life or previous experiences that demonstrate your dedication and suitability for the role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to emphasise any relevant skills you possess, such as attention to detail, teamwork, and self-motivation. Even if you lack direct experience, showcase transferable skills that would be beneficial in this role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, proofread it thoroughly to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your professionalism and attention to detail, which is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Octopus
✨Show Your Passion for Care
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with older people. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to want to make a difference in their lives.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
As a Housekeeper and Laundry Assistant, you'll be part of a team. Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment and contributed to achieving common goals.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
This role requires a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. Be ready to talk about how you ensure attention to detail in your work, whether it's through previous jobs or personal projects.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health & Safety
While prior knowledge isn't essential, showing that you understand the basics of health and safety, especially in a care environment, can set you apart. Consider researching COSHH and general safety practices before your interview.
