2018 – What a year it has been for Right at Home, Stockport & Didsbury!

David Meanwell, Managing Director of Right at Home, Stockport & Didsbury, looks back over the year and forward to 2019.

Christmas, Family, Home and Care

Christmas and New Year is a busy time for us, here at Right at Home Stockport & Didsbury. Families are preparing for the Christmas season and naturally thinking about those loved ones who need care.

We all want our loved ones close to us at Christmas time. It’s natural to want this time of home and family to feel comfortable and relaxing. But we also want to know that loved ones who are on their own, or in need of support, are being looked after as well. It’s upsetting to think that they are alone or not receiving the care and companionship they need.

Home care offers this support. So, it’s no surprise that we have had more requests for care at home over Christmas than ever before.  

Our carers will be working hard throughout the Christmas and over New Year. They will be providing high-quality care to more clients than ever. Helping with everything from daily tasks, such as washing, dressing and cleaning, to preparing Christmas Dinner. They will be with a range of people, old and young, some living alone, others with family, partners or spouses. But all of them needing special support and companionship over Christmas.

Our carers are the real heroes for us, this Christmas. Together, we’ve definitely come a long way in a year!

Care in 2018

When I think back to Christmas last year, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. Last year, we were just starting up. We had a handful of carers supporting clients, but we had big plans and lots to offer.

In the last year, we’ve grown to the point where we have 20 carers in a variety of roles but are delivering the highest quality of care. We’re now supporting a range of people with all sorts of needs.

We are supporting people with physical disabilities, and have gained expertise working with those who have cerebral palsy. We work with the elderly, those who need day-to-day assistance, or those who have advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s.

But, our care is not limited to one age group in our community. Our youngest client is in their 20’s, our oldest this year has been in their late 90’s. All of them have particular needs and we have been honoured to provide care for each and every one.

New Team Members

Bringing new carers into the team has been a real joy for me this last year. I’m blessed by being able to work with some amazing and committed individuals who thoroughly enjoy what they do. It’s their hard work that has made us so successful, so my thanks goes to all of them for everything they have given us in 2018. Our team meetings are always good fun, and I’ve enjoyed learning together and growing throughout the year.

Learning is important for all of us, which is why we take training seriously, here at Right at Home Stockport & Didsbury. We never simply send someone out to care without training or support. Our commitment to them is to make sure they are fully prepared for everything they will have to do and feel fully supported by us.

Sometimes, this support is about going the extra mile. I even hired a car recently for one of our carers over Christmas, following a breakdown of their car!

Looking forward to 2019

As we move into the new year, there’s a lot happening for us. We have an extra member of staff coming into the office full time in the new year, which means that we now have four people in office to help support the carers. There’s never a time when one of the management team or office staff aren’t available to answer questions, help with issues or come to the rescue if carers need help, advice, or have a problem.

More office staff means that we also need more space. So we are moving into a larger office but still at the Innovation Centre in Broadstone Mill. We’ll have more room for training and meetings and a bit of space to spread out as well!

Caring is personally rewarding. As our carers have mentioned in the last year, they get lots of personal rewards from spending time with clients, as well as a good wage as well. We are actively looking for new carers in the new year, so if you think it’s something you’d like to do, why not get in touch.

In particular, the care we provide is suited to mums or parents with children in school – those who have free time in the day. And also the newly retired. A number of our carers are retirees who simply don’t want to stay at home doing nothing all day, and would like the extra money as well.

If you’re interested, get in touch over Christmas.  

Care is not just for Christmas!

Christmas is a time for family and a time for loved ones. But that shouldn’t just be for a few days in the festive season. I know from my own personal experience of caring that support and care is needed every day, of every year.

Our commitment to providing the highest quality care continues throughout the year, at all times and for all kinds of people. Our motto “Making a Difference Every Day” is real for me, because it reminds me that those who need care need it every single day.

If you or a loved one needs care, give us a call and help us make a difference to them, this Christmas and every day in 2019.

My thanks goes to all those who have supported me this year. Here’s to the next one!

David Meanwell, December 2018.