TO WHOM it may concern – and unfortunately that’s probably going to be most of us at some point.

About ten years ago I walked away from hospitality and took my first steps to becoming a domiciliary care worker, and I loved it more than any other job I’ve ever had.

I helped people who were elderly, people who had mobility issues, learning disabilities, people who were isolated and lonely. I looked after people predominantly in the New Forest area, Sway, Burley, Christchurch and Highcliffe.

For the most part, I got on with our clients very well, they were usually very positive about the care that they were being given. The only complaint I can remember was the high turnover of staff – and having to explain things to new people on a regular basis. Fast forward to now. Home carers are in very high demand -and yet the wages do nothing to encourage fresh staff.

We have record numbers of people on waiting lists to receive care. Cuts to public transport mean that many people are left completely trapped. Cuts to social services and the council budgets have resulted in a lack of social enrichment and activities.

The carers who have stayed in this industry are drained, we are now almost exclusively providing care for only incredibly high priority cases.

We are rushing our elderly clients through personal care, we are having to neglect non critical tasks. Care is in crisis and the most vulnerable members of society are suffering in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

What has happened over ten years for these services to be so drastically deprived?

EMILY BEARFOX

North Drive, Ossemsley