Dear editor I recently called into our local Job Centre and was offered the opportunity to apply for a job as a care worker for the elderly and visiting them in their own homes.

Unfortunately I have no experience in this area. My forte is caring for children, being a mother and grandmother. I pointed this out to the lady in the Job Centre and she immediately pointed out the fact that I would need a qualification before even thinking about working with children.

This of course is quite correct. It later became horribly clear to me about the number of untrained or unqualified people about, with every good intention working in care homes for the elderly or visiting them at home. Is this then why we hear so much about cruelty, neglect, abuse and robbery of the vulnerable in society as they spend the remainder of their years in the many homes which serve our communities.

My grandson attends a nursery in Haverfordwest. Security is understandably very tight and yet the home where an elderly aunt resides is open to all.

I have wandered in and out to visit her unchecked. Is it the case of young ones being more important than the elderly?

I must point out that I would be given training if I was offered the job as a care assistant but I hold no other qualifications.

This is not a criticism of the Job Centre, it's a question to the government about human rights.

Alison Hardy Hazel Bank Hill Llanstadwell