Wilf Ward Family Trust recruiting care staff

A Yorkshire charity that provides support, choice and opportunity for adults with profound learning and physical disabilities in the region is reaching out to people in need – and those that can help them.
Ad Feature by Wilf Ward Family Trust
Published 27th Aug 2021, 10:57 BST
You do not have to have spent years in care to make a difference to people’s lives and, perhaps, even your ownYou do not have to have spent years in care to make a difference to people’s lives and, perhaps, even your own
You do not have to have spent years in care to make a difference to people’s lives and, perhaps, even your own

Wilf Ward Family Trust, based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is looking to the future to ensure this health and well-being by recruiting new staff who understand their ability to change people’s lives for the better.

“In June I took part in the mental health first aid course,” explains Wilf Ward Family Trust team member Dave. “The group was a mix of staff, including Paul McCay, the chief executive, and it was an enjoyable opportunity to participate in and learn from each other’s life and experiences.

“The course is designed to enable assistance for someone who is developing a mental health issue or is in a mental health crisis. The learning from the course can be used in many ways, for example in situations when it first becomes apparent to others that a person is developing mental health issues, and having the confidence to take the first vital step in opening up a supportive conversation about how they are. The course also touches on the need to look after yourself.

Wilf Ward Family Trust, based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is looking to the future to ensure this health and well-being by recruiting new staff who understand their ability to change people’s lives for the betterWilf Ward Family Trust, based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is looking to the future to ensure this health and well-being by recruiting new staff who understand their ability to change people’s lives for the better
Wilf Ward Family Trust, based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is looking to the future to ensure this health and well-being by recruiting new staff who understand their ability to change people’s lives for the better

“I found the course reassuring, reinforcing that in dealing with mental health just like with physical health: if someone requires immediate medical attention, your actions would be in supporting that. What the training is geared to do is to help people feel more comfortable to have initial conversations at work, backed by resources being made available.”

Another member of the Wilf Ward Family Trust team, Steve, feels that his new role has turned his life around after being laid off during the pandemic.

“I had almost 20 years working for the government, mainly in an operational role protecting people and properties from flooding, but during the pandemic, I found myself unemployed,” says Steve. “My own mental health suffered, and I had lost a lot of confidence. This is when I applied for this role with Wilf Ward Family Trust.

“From my initial interview with my soon-to-be manager, I knew there was something good about this next step in my life. Having secured a part-time position, I began my journey into care, and I was very supportively shadowed by more experienced members of staff. After completing my care certificate within what I felt a very short period of time, I knew how important it was to start to build a rapport with the individuals we support.

“I was taken aback by just how quickly these people were becoming very special in my life, and now I’ve now been with the Trust since July 2020, and I can truly say this career path I’ve taken can have the hardest of days but can also be so fulfilling and rewarding.

“I am so grateful that the Trust gave me an opportunity, as my own mental health is much stronger now, and I see a little bit of confidence coming back. Here’s to the future!!”

“It doesn’t matter what you have done before, what matters is what you want to do in the future,” emphasises Paul McCay, CEO of Wilf Ward Family Trust. “The work you do will change lives, even if only in small ways, and you will know that the people you support are thriving.

“I hope to meet you at some stage in the future.”

As you can see from Steve’s story, you do not have to have spent years in care to make a difference to people’s lives and, perhaps, even your own. If you need more out of your life, or would like to see how caring for others can do wonders for your own mental health, please visit the Wilf Ward Family Trust website at https://wilfward.org.uk

Related topics:North YorkshirePickering