A CAMPAIGN has been launched to boost the number of home carers in York.

City of York Council is keen to highlight how important home carers are to the city. It hopes the new campaign, which will include artwork on the sides of the council's community services' minibuses, will encourage more people to enter the profession.

Maggie Browne, service manager in the council's Community Services department, said: "Many people still think of home care simply as domestic work, but that view is so far from the reality. Home carers are an integral part of the local community and help literally hundreds of people in York stay in their own homes, rather than being forced to move into residential accommodation."

As well as helping customers with everyday tasks, such as washing, dressing and preparing meals, carers also play an important role in monitoring their health and well-being and tend to develop a close working relationship with the people they support.

York's home care providers are stressing that potential carers do not need any qualifications to do the job, as full training will be provided.

Ms Browne said: "All we're looking for is people with the right attitude, who want to help and who are committed to supporting people to live their lives in the way they want. The key requirements are life experience and common sense."

Pat Mercer, who has been a home carer in York for more than 30 years, said: "It's a really rewarding job because you can see the difference you're making to people's lives."

Updated: 11:13 Friday, October 03, 2003