JULIA'S House is holding an open day for people interested in joining the charity as a carer or nurse working across Dorset and Wiltshire.

Visitors will be given a tour of the hospice during the open day on Wednesday, August 19, at 135 Springdale Road in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, from 11am until 7pm.

There will be a chance to chat with members of the care team over tea and cake to gain an insight into what it is like to work at Julia’s House. Information on how to apply for contracted or bank posts and interview arrangements will also be available on the day.

The charity offers very competitive rates of pay for its nurses and carers and offers other benefits including a generous pension scheme.

There is no need to book to attend. Ashley Dickinson is a senior carer and has worked for Julia’s House for five years both in the hospice and out in the community.

He said: “I was an apprentice engineer but I always felt I had so much more to give.

"I volunteered at a respite unit and a special school and it was then that a fell in love with working with children and knew that that’s what a really wanted to do.

"I had been told Julia’s House was a fantastic place to work and joined as a bank carer. The training I received was beyond outstanding. When I went back to the respite unit where I volunteered they could not believe how well trained I was – way beyond the ordinary.

"And that’s how it has always been with Julia’s House. I really feel I have grown as a carer. The care team is like one big family – we all support each other and the staff are really looked after.

“Of course being a man in a female-dominated career does sometimes raise a few eyebrows. People think ‘he’s a young chap, what does he know about babies or children?’ - let’s just say mums are always shocked at how good I am at my job!

"I enjoy looking after children of all ages, but I can particularly relate to teenage boys. Often they don’t have the opportunities to go out and socialise, make friends, like other young people their age.

"I am someone they can enjoy a bit of banter with, have a kick around with a football, play a computer game – be a friend to them.

"Boys can be quite shy too – it’s great to be able to bring them out of themselves, get them to enjoy a joke, be a bit silly and have fun. Bringing out the best in each child is what it’s all about.

"Every day someone talks to me about Julia’s House – says, 'oh what you are doing is amazing, but it must be so sad'. Those people just need to come out to the hospice and see for themselves what we do here.

"Of course, death is one of the realities we do have to face from time to time, but knowing that we have helped to give that child happy times and built a special connection with them and their families makes those days easier to bear.

"Julia’s House is just an incredible place. I never want to work anywhere else now. It is more than a job. I never hoped to find a career like this, one where I can honestly say that I enjoy every single day."

To find out about the appeal to build a children's hospice in Wiltshire visit juliashouse.org/wiltshire/