At a Glance
- 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 community.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring a good standard of English and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Uniforms provided, and we offer training to help you excel in your role.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 28000 £ 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, 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: Fote
Contact Detail:
Fote 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 approach during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in cleaning or domestic roles, even if informal. This could include helping out at home or volunteering, as it shows your ability to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to creating a warm and welcoming environment for residents. Think about examples from your past where you've gone the extra mile to support others, as this aligns with the charity's ethos.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to talk about your willingness to learn and adapt, especially regarding the use of digital technology for training. Emphasising your eagerness to develop new skills will show that you're a proactive candidate who is committed to personal growth.
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 values align with those needed for the role.
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 care. Use specific examples from your life or previous experiences that demonstrate your dedication and suitability for the role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Even if you don't have direct experience, emphasise transferable skills such as attention to detail, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. Mention any familiarity with health and safety practices or digital technology, as these are beneficial for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your professionalism and attention to detail, which is crucial in a care environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fote
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to research Friends of the Elderly and their mission. Understanding their commitment to providing compassionate care will help you align your answers with their values during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
As a Housekeeper or Laundry Assistant, being a team player is crucial. Be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team setting, demonstrating your willingness to go the extra mile for residents and colleagues alike.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
In this role, maintaining high standards of hygiene is essential. Be ready to discuss your approach to cleanliness and organisation, and provide specific examples of how you've ensured a tidy and safe environment in previous roles or situations.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle various tasks. Think about scenarios where you had to manage multiple responsibilities or adapt to changing situations, and be ready to explain how you handled them.