TO help care for older people during the coronavirus crisis, a care village operator is reaching out to former employees and new candidates.

Belong, which has a care village in Loushers Lane, Latchford, is undertaking a huge recruitment drive to boost its care teams.

More than 100 vacancies are available, including permanent and temporary roles, supported by voluntary positions.

The not-for-profit organisation has promised to reduce the appointment and certification process to approximately seven to 10 days, to ensure support gets as quickly as possible to existing teams at its dementia friendly villages.

Belong deputy chief executive, Tracy Paine said: "The national response to the NHS call to arms was a very successful example of mass recruitment, although ours is different in that it offers not only temporary positions but also significant career opportunities for a large proportion of those who will be appointed in the coming weeks, as we plan for continued expansion post-coronavirus.

"We are an organisation known, not only for the standard of our care provision, but also for our investment in the training and personal development of our people.

"So, as well as answering the call at a time of national need, we will look for this recruitment campaign to uncover people with an eye on the future, and a wish to pursue a rewarding career with us."

Belong has care villages in Warrington, Atherton, Crewe, Macclesfield, Manchester, Wigan and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Anyone looking to develop a career or simply help to provide care to vulnerable people during the current coronavirus pandemic, can find details of the employment and volunteering roles at belong.org.uk.