Male carers at a home care company based in Mansfield have urged their fellow gents to step into a caring career.

Nationally, men make up around just 15 per cent of the frontline workforce in home care, and this is something that Respectful Care, based in Park Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, wants to change.

They are launching a campaign to recruit more males into the sector, and are highlighting the work of some of their own carers to show that men can care too.

Adam Clements is a client relationship manager at Respectful Care, where he himself started his career as a carer.

He said: “This is such a rewarding job to be in. In this role, you have to treat people with dignity, kindness, and respect.

“Helping people to live independently is such a different job from the norm but I think you’ll find it is so much better because it really is about people.”

Carer Mark Cohen is a former IT manager, a role he held for about 10 years. He cared for his own grandmother and decided it was time for a job change.

He said: “I’ve had lots of positive comments from people, and family, about the job change. It’s a rewarding job to be doing, and it’s great to see that people’s perceptions of the sector are changing. Now is the time to come into home care.”

Ben Shaw was a teacher for seven years and, like his colleague Mark, he too looked after a grandmother.

He said: “There has historically been a stigma around men in care, particularly around the element of personal care of the older generation and female clients.

“But, that is changing. We find that sometimes people can be unsure about having a male carer to begin with but when they see that you can do the job with care and compassion, they soon welcome you.”

People who would like to talk about a potential move into home care should call Respectful Care on 01623 665011 and ask to speak with Sally Wells. They can also email her at [email protected].