Businesses have been busy creating a bank of eager people willing to help struggling island sectors.

Isle Learn and Recruitment Works have been directing people, who may have found themselves suddenly without a job due to Covid-19, find paid work or volunteer positions.

Within the past two weeks, Douglas agency Recruitment Works has helped more than 30 volunteers find companies and directed more than 50 people to positions of paid work.

The team has created a temporary staffing solution and a volunteer database, which can be accessed by sectors most in need.

Candidates have been interviewed, reference checked with some already having their DBS checks in place.

The team’s work is voluntary as they recognise the ’importance of ensuring businesses can move forward and operate during these uncertain times,’ said owner Carmella McKay.

’We are two businesses on-island that have come together to help our island in the coming weeks and we wanted to offer some options that will benefit everyone on-island.

’We understand over the next few weeks it will be difficult all round for everyone, especially in the health care sector and Covid-19 administration team.’

She added: ’As an islander, I have been overwhelmed by the fantastic outpour of volunteers and it is incredibly heartening to see the response of individuals in the face of this threat to our island life.

’I want to help people get back to work, adapt and overcome the challenges they face so that they can once again become self-sufficient and support themselves and their loved ones.’

Working with them is Isle Learn - a Douglas centre which provides qualifications and training in health and social care.

It looks to help care providers struggling to provide cover for existing staff who are unable to work temporarily.

Manager Ann Shimmin, said: ’We are merely signposting individuals to care providers.

’We have had a lot of interest, to date we have had about 50 individuals get in touch.

’All have quite diverse skills set, some are interested in working, others in volunteering.’

The centre is signposting people to Recruitment Works and also volunteers to newly launched initiative Helpout.im

For more information about this, see next week’s Examiner, which will be available to buy on Tuesday.

Isle Learn states that no formal experience is necessary from those interested in positions in residential and care homes or other opportunities in the community, only ’a positive attitude and a caring disposition’ is needed.

Search @IsleLearn on Facebook for further details or contact Recruitment Works by calling 629676 or emailing [email protected]/