Pedal power puts local care givers in the driving seat
This month, in-home care provider, Visiting Angels, has introduced its first two e-bikes to their national care team. Actively introducing the low-emission, alternative form of transport, Visiting Angels is continuing to pave the way as the go-to care provider in the UK, as it acts on the concerns of the cost-of-living crisis for care givers while making their services more accessible for those in need.
Visiting Angels has always focused on listening to their dedicated care staff and responding to be the best care employers in the community. This focus naturally leads to a rewarded workforce delivering exceptional care for clients. As concerns emerged with the cost-of-living crisis, Visiting Angels listened to their carers again, those in particular who couldn’t afford to buy or run a vehicle. As the demand for Visiting Angels’ services continues to increase, Managing Director, Dan Archer, believes it is the perfect time to explore more ways to open doors for passionate people to join the care profession.
“With the cost-of-living crisis having a significant impact on the financial wellbeing of those working in the care sector, it was our duty to introduce a form of low-cost transport to support carers,” explained Dan. “Our ethos is all about ‘carer-centricity’, which means we listen to people who are passionate about working for Visiting Angels but, in this case, feel they are unable to because they don’t own a vehicle or are concerned by record fuel prices. Providing this little extra pedal power to our team is going to make a big difference.”
The roll-out of the e-bike scheme is another demonstration of Visiting Angels prioritising the wellbeing of its staff. Cycle-to-work schemes are growing in popularity to reduce carbon footprints, and there is also evidence to suggest e-bikes are playing a significant part in improving employee wellbeing. As the form of exercise produces endorphins*, Visiting Angels sees this as an ideal way to help carers start their days off on the right foot, whilst the extra pedal power supplied by the e-bike means care givers needn’t be the next Sir Chris Hoy to reach their clients on time! E-bikes, along with financial rewards, opportunities for career development and prioritised staff wellbeing, are all important steps Visiting Angels is taking towards helping carers feel valued when delivering care to those in need.
Sheffield-based Visiting Angels carer, Joanna, highlighted how the e-bike scheme has been one of the many ways in which she has been supported by the care provider to move forward in her career.
“I previously worked in a residential care home but, throughout that time, wanted to help people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The only thing that stopped me from caring for people in their own homes was the fact that I wasn’t prepared to sacrifice the standard of care I delivered - rushing around and having short visits are inevitable if you don’t drive. So, Visiting Angels helped me in two ways. Firstly, I can spend more time with my clients because we promise minimum one-hour visits. Secondly, they’ve given me a free electric bike to enable me to get to my clients’ homes on time and with ease. I couldn’t be happier knowing that I’ve been given the tools to deliver high quality and consistent care while also doing my bit for the planet!”
For more information about Visiting Angels, visit https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/
*Avaris, 2022, Why employers should back the eBike
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