ANGEL HOME CARE in Bovey Tracey welcomed Central Devon MP Mel Stride and Teignbridge District Councillor Avril Kerswell on Friday to discuss local care provision.

The agency, run by Ingrid Andrews, helps to support 64 people in their own homes, with clients in Bovey, Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Chudleigh, Liverton, the Teign Valley and nearby communities within Dartmoor. This includes people with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory impairments and dementia.

Ingrid said: ‘Our biggest challenge is staff recruitment.

‘There are residents in Bovey Tracey and the neighbouring communities we serve who would like our help or would like longer hours but I am struggling to recruit enough staff to keep up with demand.’

Mel added: ‘While there are practical things the Government is doing to help address the shortage of carers in the UK – such as increasing funding for the sector and making care workers a shortage occupation for immigration purposes – the biggest thing we need to change is how the care sector is viewed.

‘We need young people to aspire to a career in care in the same way they aspire to a career in nursing or medicine – it is no less worthy.’

If you are thinking about a job in care visit www.proudtocaredevon.org.uk to register your details. You will receive a call back and get free one-to-one support to find out if a job in health and care is right for you. You don’t necessarily need qualifications or previous work experience.

What’s important are your core skills and values and your attitude towards working with people who need care.

For more information about Angel Home Care visit www.angelhomecare.co.uk, ring 01626 830343 or drop into 37 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9AB.