A homecare provider is expanding and creating 16 new jobs in the Kendal area.

Westmorland Homecare is aiming to recruit 20 new homecare assistants within the next six weeks – 16 of those will be new roles and four will be to fill existing vacancies. 

“There is an increasing need nationally and locally for care at home” said Kelsey Walmsley, manager of the South Lakes branch of Westmorland Homecare.

“We want to show that a career in care is unlike many others. It’s rewarding in every way and definitely leaves you with that ‘feel good’ factor.”

New homecare assistants will receive free induction training and spend a couple of weeks shadowing an experienced colleague before working alone, with a £250 starting bonus for those who complete the training.

Westmorland Homecare provides thousands of hours of care each week enabling people to live independently in their own home.

Its services include home care, such as help with housekeeping and meal preparation, personal care, help with dressing, bathing and getting in and out of bed.

Kelsey said there was a strong ‘personality focus’ to its recruitment process. “We recruit people based on what their values are as individuals and whether they match our company values.

“The values of Westmorland Homecare are kindness, innovation, trust and enriching people’s lives.

“We have an utmost belief that we can teach people the necessary professional skills required for the job but the ability to care for people is an innate quality that individuals either have or do not have.”

Kelsey said that while care work was rewarding in itself, it could also be a pathway for those who wanted to join the medical profession. 

Anyone interested in joining Westmorland Homecare can visit the office at 18 Highgate, telephone 01539 725107 or go to the website https://westmorlandhomecare.co.uk/