Ingeus in King’s Lynn has worked its magic at local care home, Courtenay House, by not only providing a talented activities coordinator to help keep the home’s 42 elderly residents entertained, but by also conjuring up a mobile magician to perform shows there.
The care home, based in Tittleshall near Fakenham, turned to local Work Programme provider Ingeus having struggled to recruit suitable staff in the past. Ingeus, which works with employers to support unemployed people back into work across the East of England, quickly recommended Sam Bunting from Great Ryburgh for the activities coordinator vacancy. Having worked with Sam to develop a new CV, Paul Hunt from Ingeus’ Employer Services team recognised that her organisational skills as a lone parent and her voluntary work hosting reading groups and organising trips at her son’s school would perfectly qualify her for the job.
After two years out of work, Sam, 35, now loves spending her working day organising quizzes, games, trips and other social activities for the Courtenay residents. She is also busy planning an awareness event with local partners for National Falls Week in mid-June and couldn’t be happier.
“Every day is different and I love chatting with the residents, we have a real giggle,” said Sam.
“I’m delighted to be off benefits and back in work after getting nowhere trying on my own. Ingeus kept me motivated throughout my job search, found this vacancy and encouraged me to apply. My family commitments have made it difficult to find suitable work in the past but I can happily manage both here.”
In addition to Sam, Ingeus is also supporting Heacham magician Paul Williamson, also known as Magical Paul, in his quest to find work. Paul, 36, turned a childhood love of magic into a profession and spent many years working abroad and on cruise ships as an entertainer. Returning home in 2009, Paul was unsuccessful in finding work and was referred to Ingeus by Jobcentre Plus at the end of 2011.
Ingeus provides a broad range of job-seeking support to unemployed people, including the option to be self-employed. With Ingeus’ help, Paul is building a business plan, sourcing funding and actively targeting local care homes with details of his act. He is a regular performer at Courtenay House where he clearly has the residents under his spell.
“We love Paul’s shows and we wish him all the best in building up his business,” said home manager, Sharon Hipper. “The residents love both him and Sam.
“It is important to provide stimulating and interesting activities for our residents and Sam’s come up with some great new ideas. She’s settling in brilliantly.
“We’ve struggled to recruit the right people in the past, many applicants not understanding the nature of the work or the practicalities of working in a rural location.
“Ingeus only put forward qualified, motivated people who were well briefed on the role. Advertising and spending time processing applications can be expensive and time consuming, whereas Ingeus’ services are fee-free and hassle free.
“We have some more vacancies for staff coming up and I will certainly be calling on Ingeus to work its magic again.”
Visit www.ingeus.co.uk/employers or contact Paul Hunt atIngeus King’s Lynnon 01553 668880 for further information and the range of free recruitment services provided to employers.
