The spirit of St. Valentine is alive and well at Partnership Care West in Derry/L'derry. The Spencer Road -based charity provides a range of social care services. It held an event Friday to recognise staff who are there every day of the year for the more than 120 users of its domiciliary care service.

PCW Senior Manager Joe McGrann said, "Our domiciliary care staff are the heart of PCW. They have a care and concern for our service users that goes well above what is required to do the job. We are very grateful to our staff for the high standard of care they provide, and for the loyalty and flexibility they bring to their role."

PCW domiciliary care staff look after adults of all ages, and with a range of needs. The care staff call daily to ensure that the service users are looked after, have the medication they require, and help them with personal care and other needs. The service operates in Cityside, Waterside, New Buildings and as far out as Maydown.

Among the staff recognised Friday was Margaret Moran. She joined PCW in 2000 and is among the longest-servicing staff. "You need to be flexible, because we call on service users between 8 am and 11 pm, seven days a week," she said. "Sometimes we are the only people our service users will see in a day, so it's nice to have a bit of avisit with them to help reduce any feelings of isolation."

Since it began in 1997, demand for the PCW domiciliary care service has more than tripled, and with it, the need for caring and concerned care staff. "We currently employ more than 40 people and we are always looking for more staff for this important service," said Joe McGrann. "Anyone interested in a Care Services position at PCW should contact the office on 7131 3512 for more info rmation and an application form."

"It's a good job for me because the hours are flexible, and that helps me because I can work around my family's schedule," said Margaret Moran. "There's also training, which helps you to feel more confident and that you are providing a good quality of service," she added. The charity is committed to continuous professional development for all its staff and was recently accredited Investors in People.

Established in 1994, Partnership Care West provides domiciliary care, social work practice teaching, family support services (Derry and Donegal) and NVQ training. In addition to these services, the charity has piloted an innovative new "Shared Parenting Solutions" scheme to address the needs of families going through separation/divorce.