Female Personal Assistant (PA) Wanted – Shanklin

Hi! I’m 21 and live with my family in Shanklin. I’m looking for a female Personal Assistant to support me for a couple of days a week on a flexible basis.

Finding the right person is really important to me. I’d ideally like someone on the younger side, who is kind, gentle, easy to talk to and supportive, and hopefully shares some of my interests.

I want someone I can gradually get comfortable with and build a genuine, trusting relationship with.

I don’t want our time together to always feel like I’m with a PA or carer. When we’re out, I prefer my support to be natural and discreet. I don’t like standing out or having it be obvious to other people that I have additional needs or that the person with me is my PA.

A bit about me

I enjoy horses and horse riding, walking, going to the beach, dogs and getting out and about.

I’m not currently working, but I’m hoping to do a horse riding course. I’d like to become more independent, build my confidence and be able to do more of the things I enjoy.

I may also need support with studying and learning, including staying focused, organising work, understanding tasks, planning, motivation and keeping on top of things.

I have an assistance dog, who is a big part of my life, so being a genuine dog lover is important!

My health and medical needs

I have:

- POTS
- Seizures
- Autism and ADHD
- PTSD
- Bronchial atresia (a lung condition)
- A feeding tube

My health can be unpredictable.

I don’t always get much warning before having a seizure, so I need someone who can remain calm, keep me safe, follow my individual seizure/emergency plan and get medical help when necessary.

My POTS can cause dizziness and fainting, particularly if I’m standing for too long. I may need help recognising when I need to stop, getting somewhere safe to sit or lie down, and support while I recover.

I also need someone willing to receive appropriate training in using my feeding tube, including giving medication through my tube when required and following my individual care plan.

PTSD, hospitals and medical situations

I have had some difficult experiences in my past and have PTSD. Because of this, I can find hospitals, medical appointments, procedures and some medical situations particularly difficult and overwhelming.

I don’t need a PA to know the details of my past, but I do need someone who can be patient, understanding and trauma-aware.

If I’m frightened, overwhelmed or struggling with a medical situation, I may need someone who can stay calm with me, reassure me, give me time to process what is happening and help me communicate what I need.

It’s particularly important to me that my PA:

- Listens to me and takes me seriously
- Doesn’t pressure or rush me unnecessarily
- Explains things calmly when I’m overwhelmed
- Respects my boundaries and personal space
- Helps me communicate when I’m struggling to do so myself
- Can advocate for my needs and preferences when appropriate
- Understands that I may react differently when I’m frightened, overwhelmed or unwell
- Can remain calm if an emergency means I need medical attention or hospital treatment

I need someone who can balance being reassuring and respectful with being able to act appropriately in a genuine medical emergency.

What I may need help with

Every day can be different. Sometimes I may need quite a lot of support, and other times I may be much more independent.

Support could include going out with me, horse riding, walks, beach trips, shopping, appointments and days out; driving me places; helping with studying and organisation; supporting me with my autism and ADHD; helping when I’m overwhelmed; supporting me during seizures or fainting episodes; following my medical plans; using my feeding tube and administering medication when required and appropriately trained; and occasionally helping with my assistance dog.

I’d also like support to try new things, build my confidence and become more independent.

I don’t want someone to automatically do everything for me. I’d like you to **help when I need it and give me space when I don’t**.

The person I’m looking for

I’d ideally like a female PA who is younger or young at heart, as I think I would feel more comfortable and find it easier to build a connection with someone I can relate to.

I’m looking for somebody who is:

- Kind, caring and gentle
- Friendly and easy to talk to
- Calm and reassuring
- Patient and understanding
- Fun and happy to have a laugh
- Reliable and responsible
- Trauma-aware and respectful of boundaries
- Not overly formal or clinical with me
- Able to support me without making me feel different
- Happy to provide discreet support in public
- Comfortable giving me independence and space
- A dog lover
- Comfortable around horses or interested in them
- Happy being outdoors, walking and going to the beach
- Able to drive and has a valid driving licence
- Willing to learn about my individual medical needs
- Able to stay calm and follow my care plans in an emergency

Previous experience with seizures, feeding tubes, POTS, autism, ADHD, PTSD or supporting someone with complex medical needs would be helpful. However, personality, trust and willingness to learn are extremely important to me. Appropriate training would be needed before carrying out medical tasks.

Hours

I’m looking for support for around a couple of days a week, but flexibility is important.

My health, studies, appointments and plans can change, so I’d prefer someone who can be flexible about when I need support. Some weeks I might need more help and other weeks less.

Ultimately, I want a PA who can help me live a normal life rather than make my life feel centred around having care.

I’d like someone I can trust and feel safe and comfortable around, someone who gets to know me as a person, notices when I need help without unnecessarily taking over, supports me medically when necessary, helps me work towards my goals, and can also just enjoy doing normal things together.

Genders which may apply for this job – Female

Hours per week – 10 hours per week.

Hourly rate – self employed - £16.90 per hour & Employed PAs £15.71 per hour

Area – Shanklin

Driving licence required – Yes

Employer has pets – Yes

Employer is smoker – No

Required care experience – Medication training, Mental health, Sensory Impairment, Working with people who live with a learning disability