Staffordshire’s social care chief will be going ‘back to the floor’ as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
County Councillor Matthew Ellis, cabinet member for adult wellbeing and representative for Lichfield Rural East, will be experiencing life as a social care apprentice working with Affinity Homecare, based in Chasetown.
He will clock in for the afternoon shift tomorrow (February 10), partnering up with social care apprentice Dannielle Jones. After their briefing with company manager Sharon Banevicius, they will set off to visit 90-year-old Barbara, a client from Burntwood.
She has difficulties with getting around and needs support to do many daily tasks. Cllr Ellis will be making sure that Barbara is safe, and will be putting his culinary skills to the test as he prepares lunch for her.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge and getting a flavour of what care staff across Staffordshire do every day. The day will be tremendously valuable – my skills will certainly be put to the test!
“It will be a great opportunity to see at first hand what the social care apprenticeship provides, and I’m also looking forward to meeting some of the 19 apprentices working there.
“It will also be great to see one of Staffordshire’s most forward thinking community homecare providers using new technologies, eco friendly cars and showing how apprenticeships can develop their business as well as new careers.”
Dannielle added: “I can’t wait. I’m sure I’ll be a bit nervous, working alongside one of the key people responsible for deciding how health and social care is delivered in Staffordshire, but I’m sure we’ll get on fine!
“It’s good for these people to see what the job can actually involve. The work can be hard, but it is very rewarding and gives me the chance to get out and about meeting and helping lots of different people.
“An apprenticeship is also a great way of learning a trade and new skills whilst getting a wage at the same time .”
Councillor Ellis will also be at the Guildhall in Lichfield at 9.30am tomorrow for the Get up, Get out, Get into Social Care Recruitment Fair, where he will be shadowing administration apprentice Rachel Rushton, and meeting jobseekers and people interested in working in social care.
