I am a 43-year-old woman who lives in my own home in North Lanarkshire. At the moment, I split my time between my home and my mum’s, as I am helping her out. I have lived in Scotland all my life. I manage many things quite independently, but I use some support during the daytime. I also have various pieces of equipment that I may need some help putting in and out of the car.

I am a very independent-minded person and will always try to do what I can for myself. I lost a fair amount of mobility four years ago. It has taken me time to get back on my feet and back out into the community, but I am determined and manage as well as I can.

I am an easy-going person that takes life as it comes; I’m quite sociable and enjoy conversation and a good laugh. Over time, my social circle has decreased, and I’d like to make some new connections.

I am more than able to direct my support and decide what I want to do each day, but if I need support, I am happy to ask. I would also like to think about having an overnight stay somewhere for a gig, festival, or simply a short break away.

I currently enjoy being active, listening to music on YouTube, and watching sports and films. I like going out on trips in the car to see the sights, and I also enjoy going to local pubs or cafés for lunch or live music. A big part of my life is having support to meet up with my friends and to stay actively involved with my family, allowing me to be a fully involved daughter to my mum.

I am hoping to recruit someone who can listen to what I want. It would be great if you could support me in planning and encourage me to try new activities, while also helping me keep up the ones I already enjoy. I would appreciate help with some personal care, including washing my back, feet, and hair when I am in the bath, drying my feet and hair, and applying cream to my feet. I may also need support to maintain my home, manage day-to-day tasks, stay on top of health appointments, and look for events I would like to attend.

I am looking for a female driver who can drive a manual car and is comfortable with dogs. I would like someone with good communication skills who is also able to plan ahead. Ideally, you would be down-to-earth, practical, compassionate, caring, upfront, honest, fun, and flexible.

I would like someone who shares an interest in some of the hobbies and activities I enjoy. It would be helpful if you were patient and able to listen to what I want to do. I value confidentiality, flexibility, and good communication. I would also like someone with a light-hearted outlook who can see the funnier side of life, is sociable, and communicates clearly.

A typical day working with me starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm, although this can be flexible.

You would usually arrive at my house or my mum’s at 10am. If you collect me from my mum’s, I will need support to get back to my flat and help to make my breakfast.

There are some light chores around my house that I would appreciate help with, mainly the things I can no longer fully manage myself, such as food preparation and some light housework.

I would need some assistance with getting in and out of my daily bath. We would then discuss the plan for the day and go out to do whatever I decide.

At the end of the shift, I will normally be dropped off at my mum’s. Before you leave, it would be helpful if you could make sure I have everything I need for the night ahead.

I receive support five days a week, and the normal shift pattern varies. Ideally, you would be available to work three of those days within the team Rota, Monday to Friday.

Every third Thursday of the month, the shift would usually be from 8.45am to 12.45pm. Each year, I am also a teaching patient from the end of February until the end of March.

A typical week of work but activities\medical appointment can change this: 

Monday is usually a day at home, catching up on housework and planning my week ahead.

Tuesday and Thursday can involve activities in or out of the house, but the shift would need to finish no later than 4pm.

Wednesday is my day out of the house. I enjoy going out for food in the morning and attending my photography class in the afternoon. This day would usually be 11am to 4pm, although there can be some flexibility of around half an hour.

Friday is ideally my batch-cooking day, as I do not have support over the weekend, although this can be spread throughout the week if needed.

The above is an example of what would ideally work best for me. Currently things are not always like that, as life has thrown a few curveballs on my way over the last couple of years.

I am an active daughter, and my mum is a very large part of my daily life 

I am very flexible, so I do not have a strict routine. Because of that, I appreciate flexibility within my Rota. I like going to Strathclyde every year, and other things can come up too, such as appointments. I will be as flexible as I can with my staff when they need changes as well.

There is a regular Rota, but it can sometimes be changed flexibly when needed. As I have said, I will also try to be as flexible as I can for staff members when occasions arise.