Social workers recruited from Zimbabwe and South Africa to help plug the social care staffing crisis in North Yorkshire have begun working in Harrogate.
Adult social care has been experiencing well documented recruitment problems in recent years, which has left some providers struggling to hire qualified social workers.
It has previously been reported that on any given day there are at least 1,000 care jobs available across the county.
To address this, a North Yorkshire County Council report said the authority ran several large recruitment campaigns in the UK for more than 30 social worker vacancies but had “very limited” success.
It found recruits were also often newly qualified social workers and not yet ready to manage more complex work.
The report said that with full-time roles unfilled, expensive agency workers have also been used.
Since August, the council has overseen an international recruitment drive with the aim of hiring 30 social workers and five occupational therapists.
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The first cohort of social workers arrived in Harrogate towards the end of last year and the second cohort arrived in January and February of this year.
The new arrivals have been given three weeks of training and have also been allocated a “community buddy” to help them settle into their new country.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, who is also the Conservative councillor for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, said:
Harrogate gym launches strength training for menopausal women“We have recruited 29 qualified social workers from South Africa and Zimbabwe using a network of specialist agencies and working alongside other councils.
“They will work across the county in what is a great opportunity to help this group of professional social workers further their career in North Yorkshire whilst filling vacancies in specialist areas where there is a national workforce shortage.
“We will monitor the success of this recruitment campaign closely, whilst continuing to advertise our current vacancies regionally and nationally.”
A Harrogate gym has launched strength training sessions for women over 40 in an bid to “change the narrative” around menopause.
The sessions will be held at Eleven Eleven Sports Performance, which launched a studio on Otley Road in May.
The programme will focus on heavy lifting and increasing strength training to stimulate and build muscles to make up for the decline in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It will also include sprint interval training, plyometrics and stabilising exercises.
Information will also be given on how to lead a healthier lifestyle to help lower cortisol levels, which is known as the stress hormone.
The sessions will be led by coaches Mark Nel and Kelly Loe, who moved to Harrogate from South Africa a year ago.
The couple co-own Eleven Eleven with Liz and Dean Kemp.
Empowering women
Ms Kemp said:
“Lifting weights is going to be good for anyone over the age of 40, but for women specifically because of the imbalances in hormones and the massive impact it has. Estrogen is a muscle-building hormone, so if that’s dropping you need to replace it.
“It’s trying to empower women to say you can do something about it. You can lift heavy and you will get the same effect and you will be able to build that lean muscle mass. This is even more important when you get older.
“It’s turning something negative into something positive. It’s about getting the narrative out there that you can pick up a barbell at any age if you are coached in the right way.”
The semi-private classes are limited to four participants to allow them develop their technique and lift safely.
They are being held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes from 12-1pm and 1pm-2pm.
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- Plans to set up temporary gym at Ripon Leisure Centre
- New group launches for Harrogate women with menopause
New skills
It is hoped that under the guidance of Mr Nel and Ms Loe, who are both skilled weightlifters, the sessions will encourage women to try something new and gain new skills.
Ms Kemp said:
“I turned 50 this year and I’m a control freak. I didn’t like the changes going on in my life without knowing how I could help and take back control. I think that was where it started from.
“You can’t control what your hormone levels are doing, but there are so many ways you can improve your health and body composition.
“I was training with Mark and Kelly and I realised what they were doing is what the over 40s need in their life to create a healthier and fitter lifestyle going forward.
“It’s about changing the conversation and mindset around it and focussing on the positive.
“It’s being in the right environment to be able to train safely and do what we need to do to replace what our hormones used to with nutrition, healthy living, sprint training and jumping and not being scared of doing it.”
Age is just a number
Mr Nel, who has 24 years experience in the fitness industry, said no matter what age you are, you should still be able to achieve the same ability as someone who is younger if you are taught correctly.
He said:
“You might not lift the same weight or speed, but you are not restricted to ‘you can’t do that because you are this age’. To me it doesn’t matter if you take the right approach. There are athletes doing it at 70.”
Mr Nel, who has a string of accolades under his belt in both CrossFit and weightlifting, added that programmes can be modified for individuals depending on their ability.
He said:
“If your ability is just a barbell, you have that option to go through. If you are someone who is a fit 67-year-old and you want a little bit more intensity that option is there as well.”
Foundations
There will be a focus on mastering three basic foundations of bench, squats and deadlifts before advancing further.
Ms Kemp said:
“The other thing that makes it unique is you are benchmarked. So you have your set standard and until you reach the next level you don’t progress. It allows you to understand what your weaknesses are and what you need to work on.”
Ms Loe, who has been coaching since 2015 and specialises in CrossFit, added:
“I think we have created an environment where we respect more of the technique side of it than lifting heavy. We cheer on the person who is coming last and trying the hardest, as opposed to the person coming first. We do not tolerate massive egos.”
Ms Kemp said there was so much information out there about menopause that it could be overwhelming.
She added:
The holiday hotlist for 2022“That’s what we want to strip back to the bare functions of what you can do to take control and turn the difficult transition into something positive.”
This article is sponsored by Ventur Luxury Travel.
As the cold weather sets in, the temptation to escape is stronger than ever. So, if you’ve been longing for a dream holiday while curled up at home, now is the time to look ahead to the possibilities that 2022 holds.
Whether you’re longing for a luxury island escape or an unforgettable adventure, the expert advisors at Harrogate’s Ventur Luxury Travel explain the top travel trends they’re seeing this year, with their hand-picked destinations to deliver a holiday that’s more memorable than ever.
Europe tops the travel charts
Lesante Blu – Zakynthos, Greece
As many of us count down to a beach retreat, it’s no surprise that Europe, with its close proximity and beautiful sun-drenched beaches, is set to be one of the most popular destinations for 2022.
And proving the most in-demand country by far amongst Harrogate travellers is Greece. In part due to its consistent travel guidelines, holidays in Greece account for a third of all of Ventur Luxury Travel’s 2022 bookings to date, compared to just 2.5% in 2019. Combined with the increase in demand for luxury experiences, beautiful beaches and sunset vistas, it’s easy to see why it’s become the European getaway of choice.
Destination hotspot: Deep dive into the Greek Islands
Maximising the opportunity to travel, island-hopping is a fun and memorable way to experience the unspoiled Greek islands and soak up lots of different places in just one trip – from golden beaches to vibrant cities. And it’s easier than you might think due to the high frequency of inter-island ferries year-round and leisurely cruise-style ferries during the summer months. Whether it’s the pure luxury of Santorini and Mykonos, or the untouched exclusivity of Sifnos or Paros, Ventur Luxury Travel can help build an itinerary that ticks every box.
Long-haul upgrades for a holiday with the wow-factor
Constance Halaveli – Maldives
As confidence has returned, we’ve seen more people booking a holiday with the wow factor. As a result, people are spending more on luxury upgrades, longer holidays, and more expensive destinations, all of which make long-haul destinations and winter sun more popular than ever.
Remote barefoot island experiences also feel very safe. By their exclusive nature, people aren’t in with the masses, which is why destinations like the Maldives, Barbados, and Antigua have been so popular.
Destination hotspot: Discover your own slice of heaven in the Maldives
A picture-perfect slice of heaven, the Maldives is a diver’s paradise, making it ideal for couples and families alike. Pick from 200 islands accessible by boat or seaplane and discover why the Maldives is crowned the queen of exclusive island escapes.
For the best diving opportunities, choose an island with its own house reef. Each island is unique so talk to Ventur Luxury Travel’s experts to find the best to suit your exact requirements.
Making up for lost time with bucket-list adventures
Chitwa Chitwa – Kruger National Park, South Africa
If we’ve learned anything it’s that time is precious and with this in mind Ventur Luxury Travel is seeing more clients looking to make meaningful memories this year, explaining the soaring popularity of unique bucket-list experiences. From swimming with turtles to trekking in the jungle, people are looking for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip.
Destination hotspot: South Africa
When it comes to adventure, South Africa has it all. Start your trip in vibrant Cape Town, hiking spectacular Table Mountain and soaking up the gorgeous scenery and culture. Wine lovers mustn’t miss an excursion to the stunning Cape winelands; Ventur Luxury Travel recommends Franschhoek due to its quaint village setting, beautiful boutiques and famous wine tram, ready to take you on a unique wine tasting tour!
But when in South Africa, an unforgettable safari is a bucket-list must. Get up close and personal with the ‘big five’ in the famous Kruger National Park, and make these lifelong memories from the comfort of your ultra luxury accommodation. Choose wisely, and you can even have a night to remember sleeping under the stars in the treetops! Not ready to come home after all that? Seychelles is not too far away…