RETIREES in Worcestershire are being encouraged to spend a bit of their spare time helping someone out as a personal assistant.

Worcestershire County Council is calling on people to sign up as personal assistants – or PAs – offering practical support to people in need of help in their daily lives.

They usually work from a client’s home and often have a great deal of flexibility over their working hours.

The county council’s cabinet member for adult social care Cllr Sheila Blagg said: "Many people rely on personal assistants to maintain their quality of life and, as we care for more people in their own homes, this will be a growing jobs sector.

“This may appeal to many people who have retired from their main careers but still want to give something back to the community, stay work active or earn money to top up their pension."

PAs are supported by the county council through training, job matching and other measures.

For more information visit www.whub.org.uk/carewise.