Newspaper Article 1986 – Housekeeper shortage means people are missing out, says Jean

Housekeeper shortage means people are missing out, says Jean

A shortage of housekeepers exists in Hawke’s Bay and up to half a dozen people seeking help each week are having to be turned down, says Jean Hill, housekeeping secretary of the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers.

“We had 10 housekeepers two years ago and now we’ve got only half that number with the same demand as then,” said Mrs Hill.

The WDFF acts as a middle party in co-ordinating housekeepers for people who need help.

“It’s an unpaid service we’ve been doing since 1927 catering for mothers going into hospital, older people or anyone who needs help. You don’t have to be a member of WDFF to use the service,” she said.

“But now we’re having to turn a lot of people away.”

The housekeepers can be booked for up to a month, with the usual period being two weeks.

“The housekeeper comes to the house and lives-in for the period and runs the home on a day-to-day basis – cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing, not spring cleaning though.

“It’s more than a nanny bureau which looks after children – housekeepers also look after the home,” said Mrs Hill. “There are other groups which organise housekeepers but they’re a paid service.”

Mrs Hill interviews anyone applying to be a housekeeper before accepting them. They are then put through a training course.

“We bring them into a home situation and put them through the paces for a fortnight and then send them to other home concepts to make six weeks.

“Anyone selected has to be competent, have a good standard of housekeeping, like people – big and small – be able to cook a good square meal and must be trustworthy and well presented,” she said.

Mrs Hill is looking for people who fit into that role and are aged at least in their 20s. She also wants to hear from people able to do daily work. Anyone interested can phone her on 83 601.

Photo caption – Jean Hill