There’s an urgent need for more care workers in the South Hams.

Around 190 are required locally to join the workforce.

Countywide, more than an extra 2,000 are needed as social care is stretched to the limit.

The shortage of care workers is greater today than at the height of the pandemic according to the national charity Skills for Care.

Cllr James McInnes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Social Care, said: "We are appealing for people to come forward from communities across Devon to join our incredible teams of care workers.

"We need people who are compassionate, can communicate well and are enthusiastic about helping others.

"We can offer training and support, and help people find the role that will suit them best."

Many care providers are having to turn down new requests for help and are juggling rotas and home visits to provide the care often vulnerable people need.

There are a wide variety of roles and training opportunities available in adult social care with live-in, domiciliary and waking night support roles among those available.

Carers support all aspects of day-to-day living including social and physical activities, personal care, mobility and meal times.

Care workers can work in a care home, in people’s own homes or in the community.

Other related roles include support workers who provide additional help such as advice on how to cook or budget, shared lives carers who welcome vulnerable people into their own homes or stay with them in theirs and personal assistants who are usually employed directly by an individual.

The demand for care is rising all the time. In addition to social care there’s a great need for people to provide help such as going shopping, preparing a meal, picking up prescriptions or just keeping people company and having a chat.

Proud to Care Devon is calling for people who are interested to complete an online form at www.proudtocaredevon.org.uk/findyourcalling

Applicants will get a call back and the offer of free one-to-one telephone support, providing careers advice and information about jobs and training in care and health.