Author: lisa-woakes

white male wearing a blue jacket sits on a recumbent trike

New Trike Thanks to SIL’s Charitable Fund

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

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!

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

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

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

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.

text detailing the Business Support Apprenticeship with SIL brand colours

Business Support Apprentice – Services for Independent Living

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £13,650

About us:

Services for Independent Living (SIL) is a charity set up over 25 years ago with a mission to offer high quality care and to support people with disabilities. We provide services that enable people to lead an independent life within their own home and community. Our vision is, to enable people affected by disabilities to exercise choice and control, to live independent lives, and to actively participate in society.

This post is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, committed individual to gain hands-on experience in a friendly and positive work environment. You will be a key member of the team supporting the organisation with a variety of administrative and office support activities.

What you’ll do at work

  • Take phone calls and liaise with team members and service users as necessary
  • Update and maintain databases
  • Assist with the set up of meeting rooms and ICT equipment
  • Book and manage venue diaries and setting up the meeting rooms daily
  • Sending out letters/information as required
  • Support colleagues with administrative tasks
  • Collating and distributing information
  • Support with organising the employee engagement events
  • Organising refreshments for visitors
  • Handle incoming and outgoing mail and deliveries

Your training with take place at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association Limited and at least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying. You will achieve a Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 qualification at the end of your apprenticeship.

Checkout the full job and person specification and the other benefits we offer on our website www.s4il.co.uk

Should you wish to apply please contact Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training  

As part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme, candidates who declare a disability, and meet the key criteria for this role, will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview stage.

We are also a member of Armed Forces Covenant and veterans and family members of serving personnel are guaranteed an interview providing they meet criteria.

We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

This role requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applications should be received no later than Tuesday 1st October 2024.

SIL Homecare support worker Chloe and service user Roy

Homecare Support Worker

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

Care for others, make a difference. 

Working in adult social care, you can make a real difference to peoples’ lives helping to support our service users in a variety of ways to live independently in the comfort of their own home.

What is the role?

Being a Homecare Support Worker in the community is one of the most rewarding careers you can have and if you have a warm smile and a friendly attitude you could brighten up someone’s day.  Tasks may include providing personal care, medication management, light domestic duties, meal preparation, shopping and companionship.

See what others think about the role: Alice Wynn and Lisa Rossi

For the full job description continue to Downloads

In return we will give you:

  • £200 joining bonus (T&C’s apply)
  • Hourly rate of £13.22
  • Paid travel time at £6.33 per hour
  • Paid mileage at 0.45p per mile.
  • Paid Comprehensive Induction and start up training
  • Career Progression through continued learning and development opportunities
  • Enhanced family friendly benefits to include Maternity, Paternity and adoption pay
  • Paid Blue light discount scheme membership
  • Paid company sick pay
  • Paid DBS
  • 28 days Annual leave that increases with length of service
  • Company uniform and mobile phone
  • For the complete list of benefits go to: what we can offer you

You will get to work in an environment that promotes both personal and professional development, supports wellness in the workplace and a good work life balance.

When and Where?

Full time and part time shifts available, job security with contracted or variable hours. Variety of shift plans available including alternate weekends, evenings only etc.

7am to 2pm or 4pm to 10pm weekends and weekdays.

This role requires travel between service user homes which are mostly based in Leominster and surrounding villages. 

What are we looking for?

You don’t need lots of qualifications to start your career in care. All you need is the right values. If you are kind, honest, thoughtful, and looking to support others with compassion you’re the person we’re looking for. Full driving licence and access to a car is desirable but not essential.

How do I apply?

For more information or to apply you can contact us in the following ways:

  • Submit your CV to jobs@S4il.co.uk
  • Complete the application form in the downloads below
  • Call HR on 01568 616653
  • Don’t let completing the paperwork put you off – it is a simple form to find out more about you and the basic info we need to get to on board

Equality & Diversity

SIL is a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and will interview all veterans and family members of service personnel who meet the essential requirements.  Read more about how we live up to our commitment: Armed Forces Covenant

We are also a Disability Confident Leader; as such we will:

  • Interview applicants with a disability who meet the essential requirements on a person specification
  • Providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process
  • Making reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process so disabled job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job

Read more about how we live up to our commitment: Disability Confident Leader

More about SIL

If you would like to learn more about our services, the work we do and what it’s like to work for SIL please take a look at our videos or find us on facebook

Downloads

Job Description and Person Specification

Application Form

Service user pushes a wheelbarrow guided by his support worker, they are in a garden with sunflowers

Support Worker – ILH

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Hours: 0 – 35 hours per week

Salary: £12.00 per hour

We are currently recruiting for Support Workers to join our fantastic team. We have vacancies for shorter calls of three to five hours, mornings, and evenings as well as longer and 24 hours shifts.

As a Support Worker you will make a genuine positive difference and be able to support our service users who need help with tasks such as cleaning, cooking, going out for the day or short holiday breaks.

Alongside this you will be helping someone to live independently, and with your input will help them to live the best life possible.

No days are the same and being a support worker covers the opportunities to enable our service users to be supported with daily living skills, participate in activities, and be supported with personal care.

So, if you’re looking for a rewarding career that offers you the opportunity to make a real and positive difference to someone’s life every day, we would love to hear from you.

Experience is not essential, as we provide a full range of training programmes to support you in your role.

It is a requirement that you will need to have a UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.

If this position sounds the role for you, then we would love to hear from you by submitting your CV to jobs@s4il.co.uk or for an application pack, contact HR on 01568 616653.

As part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme, candidates who declare a disability, and meet the key criteria for this role, will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview stage.

We are member of Armed Forces Covenant and veterans and family members of serving personnel are guaranteed an interview providing they meet criteria.

We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

This role requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Job Description

an invitation to the SIL AGM 2024 featuring the SIL prides logo

Open Invitation to SIL’s AGM and Awards

Posted on | by lisa-woakes

Services for Independent Living (SIL) extends an open invitation to join them at their annual general meeting and awards event on Thursday, 3rd October.

The event, which will take place at Luctonians Rugby Club, Mortimer Park, Kingsland, is an opportunity to learn more about SIL, an award winning care provider. The formal business is a very small part of the event, which includes a buffet lunch, a relaxing break out session, and the annual awards in which SIL makes presentations on behalf of its service users to support workers and homecare staff who have “gone the extra mile”. If you would like to attend please contact SIL on 01568 616653, email: reception@s4il.co.uk before the 23rd September and we will advise you the time of the event and make a note of any dietary requirements

SIL AGM invitation in blue text

SIL Annual Report, AGM and Annual Awards

Posted on | by lisa-woakes
SIL AGM invitation in blue text

Our AGM and Awards event is an opportunity for us to showcase and recognise some of the amazing people that work for SIL, to reflect on the last 12months and set out our plans for the future whilst carrying out the formal business as required by our constitution. The event starts with a lunch, followed by the formal business and the annual Awards. There is then a light hearted interval, which this year is something crafty!

The agenda is a great mix of fun, information, celebration and “formal” with staff, service users, trustees and stakeholders invited. This year we will be asking members to elect a new trustee, Peter Rowson. To read Peter’s personal statement please click on the link below.

Read Peter Rowson’s statement here

Annual report 23-24Download