South Middlesex trio launch family-run in-home care business to relieve pressure on NHS
Dad of two, Andrew Murray, was just 14 years old when he realised his love of caring for others. Now, the former Special Constable and family man has launched his own in-home care company, Visiting Angels South Middlesex, based one mile from his home in Hounslow.
“My driving force is the need I have to help vulnerable people living in my community – it’s been a dream of mine for well over 20 years but, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear that the service I will be providing is more in need now than ever before. I’m proud to be in the position where I can serve my community and make a difference to people’s lives. With continued pressure on the strained NHS service, keeping people safe in their own homes limits the risk of avoidable hospital visits and improves general wellbeing too. And with my wife, Lannette, and dad, Paul, by my side, we have big hopes for the future.”
Andrew, Lannette and Paul will combine their areas of expertise to run their compassionate, community-focused in-home care business. Andrew, who previously worked in voluntary roles in specialist dementia care homes in North London, brings with him vast experience in managing teams, having worked for British Airways for close to a decade in a senior role. Growing up with Filipino roots, Lannette will bring her family-oriented values to the endeavour, utilising her digital prowess as a corporate marketing professional to raise awareness of the brand in the local area. Completing the trio is Andrew’s father, Paul, who before his recent retirement spent his entire career working in hospital care as a radiographer within radiation oncology.
“As well as working in hospitals across London, Portsmouth and Swansea, I’ve spent a significant amount of time working overseas and was part of the team that helped set up the first radiotherapy centre in Qatar in the mid-noughties. Working in the NHS meant that I was able to make a difference to so many people’s lives but it’s no secret that, with constant restructuring and funding cuts, care professionals’ hands are often tied. Supporting Andrew and Lannette to run Visiting Angels will mean that I’ll get to see, first-hand, the incredible impact we will have on the vulnerable members of society who rely on the support of in-home care givers to keep living in comfort and dignity.”
The Visiting Angels South Middlesex team is clear about what it is that motivates them - running a care business with a difference and instilling a ‘carer-centric’ approach. Put simply, this means treating carers with the utmost respect, valuing them for their commitment and rewarding them well financially for the support they provide to clients.
“We’re all too aware of the reputation that can come with a career in care – minimum wage, little time to deliver a truly empathetic service and lack of support from employers. But we want to change that. Along with our Registered Care Manager, Ashley Bailey, we’re committing to delivering an extensive training programme, ensuring our carers are equipped with everything they need to be able to offer a quality service. Once they’ve been through that process, we continue to reward them with great pay, a strong team culture and a suite of benefits. This, inevitably, has an impact on their satisfaction at work, which in turn improves the quality of care they deliver. Our carers feel valued and appreciated. And a happy carer is a good carer.”
On 4th May, the team received registration from the Care Quality Commission. Based from their offices at the Vista Centre on Salisbury Road, Visiting Angels South Middlesex is hoping to become the employer of choice across the region. Andrew, Lannette and Paul are planning to create almost 40 roles over the next 12 months.
Visiting Angels South Middlesex will serve families of Uxbridge, Isleworth, Walton-on-Thames, Wraysbury and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.visiting-angels.co.uk/southmiddlesex/ or call 0203 143 5056.