A HAMPSHIRE care company is creating 50 jobs - and is urging people who used to work in the retail and hospitality sectors to step forward.

Home Instead Central Hampshire says job losses in the two sectors have coincided with a surge in demand for home care as people look to protect their loved ones.

The company operates in the Eastleigh, Southampton and Winchester areas, with carers spending at least an hour with each client every time they visit.

Director of Care Jan Gapper said: "We are so excited to chat to people with the transferable skill set in sectors such as retail and hospitality.

"Our caregivers come from all sorts of different professions with the desire to make a true difference and be a caring companion."

One employee - Casey - joined the company in October last year.

She said: “For years I worked as a hairdresser and as the nation progressed deeper into the pandemic, hairdressing became one of the sectors that was evidently quite unstable.

"I knew I needed to find a career that I would enjoy as much as hairdressing, but I was apprehensive about care work.

"I was unsure if the care sector was right for me, but it didn’t take long for me to realise that I had a wealth of skills I could apply.

" I used my skills from hairdressing to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

"Once you see the need in the community and you know you can actually impact someone's life just by caring about them you will find immense satisfaction with the work you do.

"I would urge people from all walks of life to come on board and do the same."

Carers employed by Home Instead provide pensioners with companionship as well as carrying out duties that include personal care, preparing meals and light housekeeping.