Trustee week 4 to 8 november 2024

Celebrate Trustees Week by Joining SIL

It’s Trustees’ Week and between the 4th – 8th November we’re celebrating the amazing contribution made by trustees across the country who make an extraordinary difference to the charities they support.

There are nearly one million trustees across the UK and 7 of them currently support Services for Independent Living (SIL), but we would like more trustees to support them in the work they do.

SIL’s trustees are volunteers who work with senior managers to decide how the charity is run. Sometimes they are called board members or “the board.” Being a trustee is a great way of contributing to causes you care about and developing strategic and leadership skills at the same time. It is also an opportunity to meet new people and really make a difference to the lives of older people and disabled people in Herefordshire. If you would like to join SIL as a trustee please email: contactus@s4il.co.uk or call 01568 616653

SIL trustee Julie Thornby said: “I like being a trustee at SIL because it’s a way of using my skills to do something worthwhile. It’s also really interesting. You learn new things and people are very friendly and positive”,

So, to all trustees everywhere, SIL would like to say thank you for the time, commitment, and effort you bring to your charities to help them thrive.

Head of financial control winner Midlands

Regional Award for Local Charity

Herefordshire charity Services for Independent Living (SIL) is used to scooping awards, but they were especially delighted to have scooped an award at the prestigious Midland Finance Awards 2024.

SIL’s Head of Finance Peter Skelton won the award for the “Financial Controller with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership, management and development. They will have provided examples of strengthening financial control and processes across the organisation, driving continuous improvement and developing a team.”

Peter was one of four shortlisted across the region as finalists and with his wife Joanne attended a glittering gala event, hosted by comedian Julian Moorhouse at the ICC, Birmingham. 

Peter said: “I was very surprised to win this award and would like to thank SIL for nominating me. You cannot win an award like this on your own and this award is for the Finance Team (Tobi and Jenny), the Senior Management Team and everyone in SIL. It is much easier to do your job well when you work for a great organisation and with such lovely people.”

SIL's Head of Finance Peter Skelton wins regional award
perter skelton in black tie holding his Midland Finance Award

Buddy to Disabled Child – LM

Fun and active PA needed in Sutton St Nicholas to support a teenage boy out in the community.

Please send your CV to PA-Recruitment@s4il.co.uk indicating which vacancy you would like to apply for

Personal Assistant to Disabled Child

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Salary                 £11.44 Per Hour.

Location             Sutton St Nicholas

Hours                  10 hours in holidays.

_____________________________________________

About Me

I am an 14 year old boy and I live in Herefordshire with my family. I have complex epilepsy and have regular seizures of many different varieties, these can involve me being incontinent. I also have learning difficulties, and autistic traits; this can often mean that I will take longer to understand what you mean and explore any questions you ask me; my processing speed is not as quick as everyone elses. I enjoy colouring, going to the cinema, animals, and music. I need encouragement to be active but I like to be out and about and you will need to be able to keep up with me. You will be supporting me 2:1 with my other PA.

Job details

Personal care.

  • You would be helping me with tasks such as washing and dressing. You may need to prompt me to use the toilet, help me with personal care and ensure that I wash my hands afterwards. You will need to help clean me and change my incontinence products if I have a seizure.

Preparation and cooking of some meals

  • You do not have to be a fantastic cook. You would need to wash up and leave the kitchen clean & tidy afterwards. My step-mum will leave food out for me if we don’t go out to eat and you are looking after me.

Hobbies and social activities

  • Supporting me to continue doing what I enjoy. This is often outdoor or community based activities and I am a really fast runner!

Supporting me at various events

  • To assist with any personal care needs, obtaining drinks and refreshments.
  • With agreement, coming with me on occasional visits to friends, family and on holidays (I will meet all agreed expenses).

Taking me out and about

  • I have little road sense so you will need to ensure I am safe at all times, especially when crossing the road. I can also wander off.
  • I am a run risk so I need to be supervised at all times.
  • You will need to encourage me to use appropriate behaviour when out in public.
  • I have little concept of ‘stranger danger’.
  • I have a real love for animals and am always very eager to approach them, you will need to be aware of this.

Medical care

  • You will need to administer my medication. This includes controlled drugs and emergency rescue medication.
  • You will need to keep me safe when I have seizures and record them fully.
  • You may need to help me with any injuries that occur – including taking me to hospital if necessary.
  • Due to incontinences I occasionally have skin issues in my groin area – you will need to administer cream for this.


About You

You will need basic maths and literacy knowledge, basic IT skills will also be an advantage. Previous experience of similar work is essential, I will make sure you get the training you need.

You will be willing to attend any training needed e.g. epilepsy training which is essential, first aid, manual handling etc.

You must be able to understand the importance of confidentiality, be patient, calm, be a good communicator and have a good sense of humour. As I have said I am slow at processing and need you to be patient – often my first answer to a question isn’t the one I mean.

A good attitude to independence is important to understand a disabled person and their choices.

Teamwork is important as well as being able to work on your own initiative and have some flexibility to allow for holiday or sickness cover. 

You will need to be a car driver/owner.

About Direct Payments

Direct payments are available from Local Authorities for people who have a care and support plan in place following a social care assessment. An amount of money is allocated to purchase the assistance and care needed to live independently.

I should stress that I will be your employer and have full responsibility for recruitment, contracts, supervision, pay, training etc.  A support service assists me in meeting my responsibilities as an employer.

Salary: This is a flat rate of pay.

Hours: 10 per week in the holidays. These are the minimally contracted hours. If I require additional support at other times I will try to give as much notice as possible, an ability to be flexible would be an advantage.

Care and Support Assistant – SW

I need a new member of my team covering two 24 hour shifts per week. The shift runs from 9am to 11pm (£203) with a sleep-in (£60) and on additional hour from 8am to 9am the next morning. That totals £277.50 per shift.

I need one full-time permanent staff member to do 2 x 24 hour shifts per week.

Every day I have 8 hours of 2:1 staffing to enable me to safely access activities and events in the community. At the moment I have agency staff who help with 2:1, but it would be nice to have a solid and consistent team around me.

Please send your CV to PA-Recruitment@s4il.co.uk indicating which vacancy you would like to apply for.

Personal Assistant to Disabled Male

___________________________________________

Salary £14.50ph

Location Yarkhill, Hereford

Hours 2 shifts per week

_____________________________________________

About Me

I’m 26 year old man. I completed full-time residential college in Brighton in 2020 and moved back to Herefordshire and live at home.

I am non-verbal and affected by autism, epilepsy, and learning disabilities. I communicate using the PECS system, sign language, noise and gestures.

I enjoy regular activities and classes such as art, clay, swimming and cooking. I’m told I am fun-loving, have a good sense of humour and can be good company.

I need staff around me who can be proactive in keeping me safe. I can present with some challenging behaviours so those around me need to be assertive, but calm.

I love my staff team and become very fond of them, they are like an extension of my family. I hope to find new staff members who will become a further extension of my family team.

Job details

Below is a list of tasks involved as part of the job:

  • Minimal personal care.
  • Daily administration of medication.
  • Providing practical support with household tasks.
  • Supporting and monitoring health and well-being needs.
  • Proactively supporting and pursuing hobbies and interests.
  • Driving mobility car around Herefordshire to access the community.
  • Support in learning new skills.
  • Teaching life skills.
  • Getting involved in community groups.
  • Able to understand communication needs and ability to react and respond effectively in all environments consistently.
  • Work with other professionals e.g. doctors, dentist, medical appointments and masseuse.
  • Proactively planning support when needed and communicating using PECS and social stories.
  • Keeping daily records of medication, behaviours, activities and medical changes.
  • Providing hand-over to next staff on shift, passing over all relevant and important information.
  • Become a role model and companion by sharing hobbies, interests and enthusiasm

About You

Previous experience of similar work is desirable but not essential, as I will make sure you get the training you need.

You must be willing to attend any training needed e.g. medication, epilepsy, care certificate, etc.

You must be able to understand the importance of confidentiality, be patient, calm, be a good communicator and have a good sense of humour.

A good attitude to independence is important to understand how to support a disabled person and promote choice.

Team work is important as well as being able to work on your own initiative, and have some flexibility to allow for holiday or sickness cover.

You will need to be a car driver/owner as I live in a rural location.

About Direct Payments

Direct payments are available from Local Authorities for people who have a Care and Support Plan in place following a Social Care Assessment. An amount of money is allocated to purchase the assistance and care needed to live independently.

I should stress that my Mum will be your employer and have full responsibility for recruitment, contracts, supervision, pay, training etc. A support service assists her in meeting her responsibilities as an employer.

Salary: This is a flat rate of pay that takes account of unsociable hours and weekend working.

Care and Support Assistant – FT

Personal Assistant to Disabled Employer needed not too far from Tenbury and Leominster.

Please send your CV to PA-Recruitment@s4il.co.uk indicating which vacancy you would like to apply for

___________________________________________

Salary £15 Per Hour.

Hours 2 x 4 hours per week

Location near to Tenbury and Leominster

____________________________________________

I have some disability and illness and a wheelchair user when out of the home. I like to be as independent as possible, given my personal circumstances, but require support both inside and outside of my home to achieve this

I need help and support with personal care, shopping, paperwork and online shopping, housework, preparing meals and helping me achieve my daily tasks.

I like to see the positive in every day experiences, enjoy living in the countryside and immerse myself in various hobbies, including being in the garden.

If you are the kind of person that is compassionate, organised and loves helping people, as well as willing to ‘get stuck in’, then I would like to hear from you.

You need to be a car driver as I am about 7 miles from both Leominster and Tenbury.

Why not send me your CV illustrating your capabilities, training received and what you find important to feel fulfilled at work.

About Direct Payments

Direct payments are available from Local Authorities for people who have a care and support plan in place following a social care assessment. An amount of money is allocated to purchase the assistance and care needed to live independently.

I should stress that I will be your employer and have a support service which assists me in meeting my responsibilities as an employer.

I pay above the minimum rate to account for out-of-town driving and this is paid through payroll. The hours to be discussed which will be around 24 – 32 hours per month.

white male wearing a blue jacket sits on a recumbent trike

New Trike Thanks to SIL’s Charitable Fund

A charitable fund launched in August has already helped local volunteer-led cycle club, the 5&10 club, to purchase a new ICE trike.

The fund has been set up by Services for Independent Living (SIL), a local not-for-profit business, that supports disabled people and older people across the county. The fund aims to support its service users and also local voluntary organisations that provide services to vulnerable people in Herefordshire.

Euan McPherson, SIL’s CEO, said: “It was a real joy to meet members and to hand over the trike to the 5&10 Club. The group provides pleasure and friendship to both able and disabled people. The trike will join the fleet of cycles held by the Halo Cycle Hub in Hereford, ensuring that all the health benefits and enjoyment gained from cycling is accessible to all”.

The fund is currently taking applications for grant funding and the process couldn’t be simpler. If your organisation might benefit from some financial support email reception@s4il.co.uk or call the office on 01568 616653, to find out how to apply.

Three men in smart suits and ties hold winners award for mental health

HMMH Scoops Top Award Again!

A peer group which supports men across the county who are experiencing mental health issues has again scooped the top prize at this year’s Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards.

Hereford Men’s Mental Health (HMMH) was set up in 2020 by Paul Stevens, then the Deputy Mayor of Hereford City Council, and Euan McPherson, Chief Executive of Services for Independent Living (SIL).

Both Paul and Euan have lived experience of poor mental health and recognised that men often feel unable to talk about their feelings and any anxieties, stresses or concerns that affect them. Sadly, suicide is the biggest killer of young men under 40 and so the idea of a group specifically for men, to be held in an informal setting, was born.

The group, which meets twice monthly, has gone from strength to strength, providing a safe environment for men to talk openly to their peers about their feelings, in the knowledge that they will be listened to and not judged.

Judges of the Mental Health Award gave this to HMMH for its “innovative approach of mutual support”. 

Euan McPherson said: “ We are delighted to have been recognised at the Hereford Times Awards in the Mental Health Category, this is the third year running and we were all very surprised and humbled. The group continues to provide peer support for local men when they are struggling with issues to do with mental health and that is obviously important. We would like to thank all those who nominated us.”

The group meets every second and fourth Monday of each month from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. For more details please email: HMMHgroup1@gmail.com or text 07376 727280

colourful poster with cartoon character showing frustration

Carer’s Rights Day 2024

The event will:

·         Offer the opportunity to hear a Young Carer speak about their needs

·         Engage with the Interim Director of Public Health, who will speak about Carer’s mental health  (which is one of the themes for the day).

·         Discover what support and activities are available to assist families where caring is the focus

·         Talk to volunteers at the Citizens Advice Stand, where a wealth of information can be located

·         Feedback to the Commissioning Services what Carers are seeking to improve within their lives

·         Discover how to request a home visit for carers and their families, when hearing or sight loss are an issue. (We recognise attending appointments can often be very difficult)

General information stands will also be present including Caring topics and safeguarding.

We begin at 10.00 am hopefully allowing time for Carers to relinquish their duties for a few hours. The leader of Hereford Council will open the event, before our agenda begins.

There will be a break at 11.00 to have a drink, visit the stands, and talk to other attendees/ speakers. We then recommence at 11.30 till 12.30.

A buffet Lunch is available, following these sessions but must be booked.