'Laughter is the best medicine' says former policeman during Good Care Month
Local in-home care provider, Visiting Angels, has joined the Good Care Month campaign. Running throughout July, the campaign celebrates the work that care providers and their staff deliver each day. Visiting Angels, based in Hatfield, has one particular carer who is thrilled get behind the initiative for the very first time.
Terry McCarthy joined Visiting Angels when they launched last year. At the age of 71, he came out of retirement after noticing their work in the community. Terry recalls why he wanted to join the team.
“Since my early 20s, I’ve been in the police force. I particularly enjoyed being a policeman as I was able to help people in the community and make a positive impact – Visiting Angels allows me to do the same again. I liked the ethos of the company as they really value their carers, and it’s something I continue to cherish today - I’ve felt valued, appreciated and respected right from the very first time I met with the team.
“I find caregiving very enjoyable as each day is different. I have my regular clients who enjoy seeing me and being able to get to know them a little more every day is extremely rewarding – clients feel relaxed and comfortable with the service I provide. I would say the main thing I love about being a caregiver is offering support, guidance and, in most cases, essential companionship to my clients. As a carer, you need to have patience and understanding, but laughter is often the best medicine so a sense of humour is essential. Seeing a smile on my clients’ faces makes it all worth it.”
Managing Director, Gareth Redmayne, and his team of 9 caregivers provide around 100 hours of care to clients within the area of South Hertfordshire. Their services have been more in demand than ever before and Gareth recognises the importance of ensuring the care they deliver is of the highest quality, even in the most difficult of times.
“Being part of the campaign for the first time since we launched last August is very exciting,” said Gareth. “I’m extremely proud of the work that we’ve done over the past year, especially during the last few months as things got a little more challenging. My caregivers really are at the heart of the business and they make our service so special – this campaign in another chance to recognise them.
“Visiting Angels is all about excellent care and we know what it takes to achieve that. We really get to know the client and their needs, ensuring we provide them with the highest standard of service possible. Whether this is making a light meal, getting them dressed in the morning, engaging in a conversation or delivering personal care, quality is at the core of everything we do.”
Visiting Angels is committed to putting their caregivers at the heart of the business from day one. This is something that they call ‘carer-centric’. Simply put, it means treating carers with the utmost respect, valuing them for their hard work and rewarding them both financially and with opportunities for career development. Issues in the industry usually leave carers feeling little-to-no appreciation and without any form of professional development. This forward-thinking company is tackling the need for change in the care sector head on.
“I’m hoping this year’s Good Care Month is the first of many for us to get behind. We’re constantly striving to create a better industry and this initiative is a perfect way of sharing the inspirational stories and benefits of working within care. Everyone, at some point in their life, will encounter the need for care, it’s our chance to make it the best it can be.”
For more information on Visiting Angels’ services, visit: www.visiting-angels.co.uk/southherts
-ends-
Editor’s notes:
For more information, or to speak with Gareth or Terry directly, please contact Liam on 07395 641 523 or liam@revpr.co.uk
Images attached: Terry McCarthy, carer from Visiting Angels South Hertfordshire.