A CHARITY which supports Petersfield and Bordon people with learning disabilities and their families and carers is appealing for people to become support workers.
Learning disability charity Mencap delivers services which help people with learning difficulties and those who look after them live their lives the way they want.
Nikola Novotna has been a Mencap support worker for about two years working in the Petersfield and Bordon areas.
As part of a team, she helps deliver supported living and community support services. She also helps provide outreach support to people in their own homes.
She said: “When I decided to work with people with learning disabilities, I did a little bit of research and found out about Mencap, and I really liked what they stood for. I decided I wanted to be a part of such a positive organisation, so I went and applied for a support worker role.
“Every person we support is unique and different, some are quite independent and only need guidance and encouragement, while others might need extra support with medication, personal care and other aspects of their life.
“I support people in their homes with general household tasks, shopping, cooking, accompanying them to medical appointments, helping with any mail they may not fully understand, and many more daily activities.
“I think that a support worker should be caring, honest, positive, challenging, open-minded, encouraging, and a good team player.
“You don’t need to have had any experience with support work as all the training is provided.
“The best thing I think I have achieved is helping to organise a holiday for two ladies we support.
“There was so much to plan and some problems to overcome, but, as a team, we made it work, and we took them to the seaside.”
For information about becoming a support worker in East Hampshire, call 01730 246699 or visit the website: www.mencap.org.uk/jobs