At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with personal care, companionship, and meal preparation in a vibrant community.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity with over 120 years of experience in compassionate care.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension plans, wellbeing support, and discounts to enhance your salary.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, with opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in older people's lives while working in a state-of-the-art facility.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring your passion for care and a willingness to learn.
Contract type: Permanent - 42 hours (Full-time) 26.25 (Part-time) per week (average), 7.5 or 12 hour shifts (night work always 12 hours) and Bank.
Working Pattern: Days or nights - working on rolling rota of 3 consecutive days on and 3 consecutive days off.
- Day Shift: 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Early Shift: 7 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
- Evening Shift: 2.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Night Shift: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
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 Care Assistant, you will help our residents with various tasks including:
- Personal care.
- Companionship.
- Meal preparation.
- Mobility.
- Keeping care records up to date.
We would like our Care Assistant to be someone who has a real passion for care. Someone who sees this as an opportunity to build solid relationships with our residents, to allow them to live well in later life by putting them at the heart of all that you do. Empathetic and respectful, self-motivated and flexible, you will be a team player who is always willing to go the extra mile, enabling our residents to lead fulfilled lives.
No prior experience is needed, as we will give you all the training you’ll 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. While we take a commercial approach to our work, we are not for profit and we are committed to our charitable values.
- 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. A charity where everyone is equal but definitely not the same. 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.
Care Assistant in Calcot employer: Friends of the Elderly
At Friends of the Elderly, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of older people. Our supportive work culture fosters personal growth and development, offering comprehensive training and wellbeing initiatives, alongside competitive benefits such as paid breaks, retail discounts, and a group pension plan. Located in the picturesque Malvern area, our care homes provide a nurturing environment where compassionate individuals can thrive while delivering person-centred care to our residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Assistant in Calcot
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Friends of the Elderly. Understanding their commitment to compassionate care will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing your passion for making a difference in the lives of older people.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant personal experiences that demonstrate your empathy and ability to connect with others. Whether it's caring for a family member or volunteering, sharing these stories can illustrate your suitability for the Care Assistant role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your flexibility regarding shift patterns. Since the role involves various shifts, showing your willingness to adapt to different schedules can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific facilities and services that Friends Place, Calcot will offer. Being knowledgeable about the community environment and how it enhances residents' lives will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Assistant in Calcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and qualities required for a Care Assistant. Highlight your passion for care and ability to build relationships with residents in your application.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects relevant skills and experiences that align with the role. Even if you lack direct experience, emphasise transferable skills such as empathy, teamwork, and flexibility.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your motivation for applying to Friends of the Elderly. Mention why you are drawn to their mission and how you can contribute to creating a warm and supportive environment for residents.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Elderly
✨Show Your Passion for Care
During the interview, express your genuine passion for caring for others, especially older people. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as Friends of the Elderly values empathy and compassion highly.
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks of a Care Assistant, such as personal care, companionship, and meal preparation. Being able to discuss these responsibilities confidently will demonstrate your preparedness and commitment to the role.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Flexibility
Emphasise your ability to work well in a team and your flexibility regarding shifts. Since the role involves working on a rolling rota, showing that you can adapt to different schedules and collaborate with colleagues will be crucial.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the care home and its community. Inquiring about training opportunities, the culture at Friends Place, or how they support staff wellbeing shows your interest in being part of their mission and your desire to grow within the organisation.
