The carers crossing the globe to fill UK shortage

In 2022, Evans Sarbeng left his home country for the first time and landed in the UK.

The 29-year-old nurse remembers the instant chill when he stepped off the plane in Manchester, after being used to 30C temperatures in Ghana.

Dressed in three or four cardigans, Evans headed straight for the coast to start work at Saint Cecilia's nursing home in Scarborough.

He is one of 45 overseas workers at the home, who obtained a skilled worker visa to address the huge staff shortage in social care.

Mike Padgham, managing director at Saint Cecilia's Care Group, says overseas workers like Evans are a "lifeline" when it comes to running a nursing home, making up 20% of the workforce.

"There's about 131,000 social care vacancies in England and without our overseas staff, we couldn't continue," he says.

"They bring vibrancy, good practice, work well with the residents and are paid exactly the same as local staff."

Saint Cecilia's posted online advertisements offering to help provide accommodation and contribute towards the cost of travel to the UK.

The opportunity caught the eye of Evans in September 2022 and after a video interview, he arrived two months later.

"My first time travelling out of my country was coming to the UK," Evans says.

"I've enjoyed being here, especially North Yorkshire where I've spent almost two-and-a-half years."

He credits the friendly people and work environment for his smooth transition.

"The work is good, nursing is a universal programme," Evans adds.

"There's a few bits that are different from what I used to know, with a couple of different policies and practices, but it is generally the same."

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Apart from adjusting to the cold weather, Evans discovered a whole new cuisine, including the delicacy of a Yorkshire pudding wrap.

"I've tried a couple of English dishes. I do better than my friends because they are still used to eating Ghanaian food," he says.

"Fish and chips were the first thing I ever tried.

"I didn't know there was something like fish and chips until I came to the UK but I would say it's good!"

Evans is living in Scarborough with his wife and has joined a football team.

He does not currently have long-term plans but adds he will stay in Yorkshire as long as it continues to treat him well.

Sirisha Nallamothu came to work at the nursing home in 2023, first as a carer and now as a nurse.

The 42-year-old decided to move her family from India to the UK, where she hopes to settle long-term.

"I feel very proud to be here," Sirisha says.

"We have a lot of care homes and nursing homes in India, where we are heavily populated but here, there is a lack of staff.

"I decided to move so I can help fulfil the need for nurses."

The opportunity is also welcome for her two sons, aged eight and 16, who are thriving at the local school.

Enjoying the nature and food Scarborough has to offer, Sirisha considers the cost of living the biggest challenge.

"It is very difficult to maintain the family, the rent has gone up and it's difficult to balance," she adds.

"Council tax and groceries have gone up, everything is very expensive."

Saint Cecilia's chief Mike says one of the downsides of overseas work is carers could no longer bring loved ones with them after a government policy change in March 2024, although nurses still could.

"A study estimates we will need 540,000 more social care staff by 2040 to cope with rising demand," he says.

"How will we fill those posts without attracting overseas staff?"

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