Case Study - Mike and Catharine Chalton
Mike and Catharine Chalton have been Home Instead Senior Care franchise owners for 3 ½ years. In that time they have helped to shape the way care is delivered on the Wirral.
The Wirral team currently employs 110 Caregivers and has over 140 clients and is delivering in the region of 7000 hours of care per month. Commenting on their time as Home Instead Senior Care owners, Catharine said: "It's been really hard work, but so very rewarding. The work we do on a day to day basis makes a real difference to people's lives. We employ a fantastic team of Caregivers who are the backbone of the business."
Every day is different and there are challenges, as I guess there are with any business, but we are part of a wider team, the international 'Home Instead family', and receive lots of support and advice from our UK head office and from the team in the States."
Before entering the care sector, Mike worked in pharmaceutical sales and marketing. Catharine trained as a nurse in the army and was a specialist nurse with experience in General Practice Nursing, Respiratory Nursing and Health Research.
In 2006 the couple listened to a radio programme about care standards in Europe and knew they would like to become part of the care sector, delivering the highest quality care to people with the utmost dignity and respect.
They set out with the intent of starting their own care company but very quickly realised the complexity of the task. They remained, however, determined to follow their hearts and set about seeking an alternative route to enter the care sector – that route being franchising.
In 2007, after much searching, they met Trevor Brocklebank, Home Instead's Master UK Franchisor, and knew instantly that the Home Instead Senior Care model was just what they were looking for. Trevor's passion to change the face of ageing was evident and infectious.
Mike and Catherine's work in the Wirral has been recognised with awards including the NHS North West Dignity in Care Award and they were a finalist for the Ceretas Dignity in Care Award. One of their Caregivers won the Ceretas Home Care Worker of the Year award for the North West. They have also awarded 3 stars by the CQC, the highest rating available.
Through their work the couple is heavily involved in care issues with the local community. Catharine was invited to co-ordinate the Department of Health and Social Services' 'Dying Matters' event, part of the DOH's end of life strategy, giving people a choice to die in a place of their own choice. She has also written a training programme for End of Life Care.
The couple sponsor their local hospital radio station, Clatterbridge Hospital Radio and Mike enjoys helping to collect requests from the oncology ward once a week.
On a day to day basis Mike is the company's business director, using his considerable business skills to guide and direct the business, whilst taking a keen daily interest in the welfare of both staff and clients.
Catharine is the Director of Care. She uses her knowledge of people's needs to ensure each client receives the service they desire, respecting all regulations and standards.
So, 3 ½ years on, what do Mike and Catharine put their success down to?
Answering the question, Catharine said: "Drive and passion is the first factor. A desire to provide the best possible service would be second. Last, but by no means least, is the fact that our business is based on an operating model which is tried and tested and has been refined over 16 years of continuous growth."
Your biggest challenge? "Finding the right people to work with us, people who share our commitment to care. We only employ 2 out of every 10 Caregivers that we interview but once we have the right people on board they are a huge asset to the business."
And your biggest buzz? "Seeing people flourish under our care and regaining their independence. That's hugely rewarding."
