AFRICAN carers have come to Jersey to ‘make a positive difference’ and help address the island’s staffing crisis.
Two care providers have recruited nine experienced carers from southern Africa as the industry, along with many others, struggle to find local staff.
The Jersey Care Commission recently warned that staff shortages posed a “potentially catastrophic risk” to Jersey care services.
Orchid Care and 1:2:1 Care, both located in Powerhouse on Queen’s Road, have teamed up to recruit directly from Africa.
The caregivers live together in a home that one of the agencies has been allowed to purchase due to a recent change in housing law for JCC-registered businesses.
Emily Changwe, a Kenyan who has lived and worked in Zambia for the past 12 years, said she jumped at the chance to work in Jersey.
The mother of three was a health care assistant at a nursing home in Zambia when a friend told her about the opportunity to work in Jersey.
She said: ‘I have always had a passion for caring, and after the pandemic, that desire grew stronger.
“I consider it a privilege to be able to come here to be able to make a positive difference.”
Ms Changwe had previously lived and worked in Leeds, where she completed much of her care training, before returning to Africa to work in accounting and finance, and then returning to care.
Melody Mukwasi, a Zimbabwean who has spent the last 16 years working in South Africa, said Jersey provided better career development and a safer environment, as well as higher pay.
‘When the opportunity to come here arose, I jumped at the chance; I feel like I can grow a lot more and still have a lot to give,’ she said.
‘We did our research in Jersey; there will be more training opportunities and a variety of care that you wouldn’t get in South Africa.’
She added: ‘We’ve had a very warm welcome. You get used to crime in South Africa, so feeling safe here, especially as a woman, is very refreshing.
‘I’ve already noticed that islanders don’t always lock their car doors, keep their phones in their pockets, and drivers stop to let us cross the road; it’s a culture shock!’
Ms. Mukwasi previously worked in a nursing home in Johannesburg. She was also an intern health care assistant for 15 years and a substitute school teacher. She has also volunteered for the South African Red Cross and has a degree in development studies.
The nine qualified carers are working in Jersey on a three-year visa, which can be extended on application. Those who stay for five years have the right to stay.
Cheryl Kenealy, owner of 1:2:1 Care, said: ‘This is a very exciting time for us. We haven’t been able to hire locally and since Brexit there’s no reason why we can’t hire globally.
‘Being from Africa myself, I not only know that the quality of the staff is high, but it also gives me the opportunity to invest in them.
‘For us, this hiring eases the pressure on the business. It does not mean that we will accept more clients; rather, it means we can increase the care packages we provide to our current clients, as well as give some of our current caregivers a well-deserved respite.
‘Some have been working 60 to 70 hour weeks and this will give them a chance to make up some time.
“It also means that we will have more capacity in case an employee gets infected, for example, with Covid.
“We will also help Les Amis with their care.”
She added: ‘Some of our carers have left Jersey or moved on to new companies, and we haven’t been able to recruit locally. These are exciting times for both teams.’
