When you need a helping hand... caring group sets up foundation

The Caring Hands Group, founded in 2010 by the Bamber family, has started up the Caring Hands Dementia Foundation, which aims to fund high quality dementia care, providing holistic support packages for those living with dementia and their loved ones.

The business, which recently moved to new offices, is looking to grow through the recruitment of more frontline care staff to help meet the growing need for caring for people affected by dementia.

Chairman Greg Bamber says the set-up of the foundation was to help ensure local people have the support they need to live well with the condition.

The company has also established the new Caring Hands Lifeline Service, another key development which enhances the network of support the company can provide for local people, by providing emergency care at the touch of a button should someone suffer an accident or fall at home.

This year has proved a busy one so far, having just last month stepped in to take over the care of clients of All Aspects (Northwest) Ltd after it went into liquidation.

Working with Lancashire County Council, they ensured continuity of care for both council care service users and private clients, and managed to safeguard the jobs of 15 employees.

Greg adds Caring Hands aims to remain committed with a 50-strong staff helping deliver person-centred care from one family to another. Everyone in the Caring Hands Group team he says plays a fundamental role.

Greg, 37, says: “Everything we do at Caring Hands is driven by a passion to provide the best quality services for local people. This is what makes me get up in the morning – thinking about the type of care I’d want for my own family is what spurs me on.

“Caring Hands Group is always looking ahead to see how it can improve and develop – of course this benefits the business, but it helps local people, too. I want to make sure people have access to the support they need to be able to live independent, fulfilling and happy lives, and am proud of all the Caring Hands Group does to make that to happen.”

The majority of staff are front-line care providers who visit people at home to deliver their services.

The firm also employs six people in management and business development roles based at company headquarters on Preston Docks. The company’s latest recruit 
also has responsibility for the brand new Foundation.

The organisation will fund an expert dementia nurse, who will provide specialist care and support free of charge. The start-up and development costs – including the opening of a charity shop called The Preloved Boutique in Liverpool Road, Penwortham – are being covered by Caring Hands Group initially.

Geraldine Brewis, 41, a registered nurse with a degree in social work, has worked at Caring Hands Group since summer 2015.

She says: “Delivering good quality care can’t be based on a one-off tick box exercise –it must involve meaningful conversations from the outset which are regularly revisited to ensure they are still fit for purpose.

“When we are formulating these care plans, we always make sure we’re finding out as much as we can about the people involved – their likes, dislikes, worries, hopes and wishes. We want people to feel like they are still in control, that they are still the people they have always been. It’s why our care packages focus on empowering and enabling people to remain as independent as possible - rather than steam-rolling in and simply taking over everything.”

She is also a key point of contact with clients and their families.

she adds: “An open door policy is so important because good communication reassures people and gives them peace of mind. I love my role at Caring Hands Group because my passion is for people, and Caring Hands put people at the heart of everything they do.”

Director of Compliance and Business Development Liz Walker, a qualified nurse with 30 years’ experience in the health and social care sector adds: “Our ethos is all about going the extra mile. My experience in this sector over many years has taught me that fundamentally this is what matters most.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining Caring Hands Group with the launch of the new dementia charity, which will provide a gold standard support service for local people who are facing such a daunting time. As we work to recruit new carers to help us develop our services – both through the business and charity – we’d love to hear from people who share our passion and are interested in coming on board and helping to make a real difference.”

n For more information visit www.caringhandsgroup.com