Hull City Council employs more than 4,000 people in diverse jobs such as tuning the Guildhall clocks and lifting the bridges over the River Hull. Today, we meet residential care worker Catherine Cuttill, who tells us why her job is vital to the lives of vulnerable adults.
Catherine has been working at Park View, a residential care facility in Hull’s County Road for 13 years. Park View provides care and accommodation for up to 14 adults who have learning disabilities and physical needs.
Catherine, as well as all the other residential care workers, help to look after and care for vulnerable adults who have complex needs, many of which cannot communicate verbally, but communicate in other ways, such as using facial expressions, body language or sounds.
“They ensure they understand everyone’s individual needs and preferences for how their care and support should be delivered, and they achieve this by working closely, building relationships, with people and their families to really understand their individual communication preferences.
“Our role is to make sure everyone is comfortable, clean and are enjoying their life. Each person has their own specifically designed wheelchair which is tailored to their needs, this allows them to have their own independence as much as possible.”
The residential care workers also work with and help to support the whole family.
Catherine said: “Unfortunately, one of the ladies who I look after, her mum and dad struggle to get out of their house and come to see their daughter,” she said. “We take her to see them, helping to keep the family together as much as possible, keeping their relationship strong.”
There are three bungalows at Park View, which has been purpose-built to meet the needs of its users.
Two of the bungalows have five single ground-floor bedrooms and one has four single ground-floor bedrooms, a lounge and dining room, one bathroom and two separate toilets. A large garden is shared, with each bungalow having its own patio area.
Do you need help or support or know someone who does? Visit Hull Connect To Support.
