What is it like being a care worker and looking after the most vulnerable people in our community in these difficult times? White Horse News talks to Ben Wicks of Butterfly Home Help who are providing over 1,000 visits a week, caring for 88 people in Wiltshire and Bath.
Hi Ben, these are unprecedented times, how are your staff coping with all the new demands?
So far we are coping well. We managed to prepare as well as we could in the weeks building up to the lockdown which allowed us to put our processes into place as smoothly as possible. As the situation started to develop, we had a small surge in people self-isolating as a precaution; however we are delighted to say that we have still managed to complete 100% of our booked visits. Our office team is currently working from home where possible and our carers are still visiting people in the community. It has had its challenges including sourcing PPE and keeping moral up however we are really proud of how everyone at Butterfly is coping. Our carers are being as kind, as professional and as caring as ever!
How many people are you caring for and how are you helping them?
We are currently caring for 88 people across Bath and Wiltshire which equates to approximately 1,100 visits each week. Our work involves visiting people in their own homes and assisting them with the completion of day-to-day tasks. This could involve washing, dressing, medication prompting, meal preparation and more.
Things must be really challenging; how difficult have things actually been?
Some of the big challenges have been adjusting to changes in processes however these have been/are being overcome. Like I said earlier, we were as prepared as we could have been by preparing processes and working with our local authorities so that has helped us cope as the pandemic unfolded. Other challenges have been sourcing PPE such as face masks; especially to keep up with changing guidance regarding these.
And how are your clients coping?
Understandably, there is concern within our clients however they have been very supportive and have worked with us to ensure they and all our vulnerable clients receive the care they need. Most of the concern was related to the use of face masks. Throughout this pandemic, we have been in close contact with our local authorities as well as with partners from Public Health England so we are continually staying up to date with the latest guidance.
There seems to be a new appreciation of the work carers do in society now?
Yes. Very much so. We love the Clap for Carers on a Thursday evening. We are delighted that care workers, along with all key workers are getting some well deserved recognition. We can really feel a shift in attitude towards the industry of health and social care from being the unseen workers in society to being treated as heroes. We have always valued the work our carers do but it is lovely that society is seeing the amazing things they do too.
- Butterfly Home Care can be contacted on 01373 825951; visit www.butterflyhomehelp.org; or email info.wilts@butterflyhomehelp.com.
