Local woman Rita Patel is launching care and activity services in Brentwood and Chelmsford, inspired by her mum and supported by the national home care brand Walfinch.
Rita, from Harold Wood, Romford, says: “My mum was a professional care worker for 40 years and she still provides care to my children, because she loves the rewards. Her caring nature has rubbed off on all the family, so when I wanted to start my own business after 20 years in banking, care was a natural choice.”
Rita’s banking job required accuracy and compliance with strict regulations, also essential in the care business, but says: “It’s a big step from banking to care, so I invested in a Walfinch home care franchise, to combine my business talents with Walfinch’s experience of running successful home care businesses.
“It’s founder and CEO Amrit Dhaliwal used to be a care franchisee himself, so he understands what franchisees need, and the franchisee support team is packed with care and business experience. When you are starting a business, ten heads are better than one, and I know I will learn from all of them.”
Rita has now recruited her Registered Manager, Kamesha Stevenson, who has 23 years of experience in health and social care, over 13 of them as a registered manager. Home care services will start soon.
Free Walfinch Thrive Club open now
Rita’s business is already benefiting the community with the launch of a Walfinch Thrive Club, offering accessible exercise led by a professional local trainer, in local venues.
Rita says: “One is in Brentwood library every Friday at 10-11am. It started recently and the first session was attended by a local man who is over 90, who was very fast doing the exercises. I joined in myself, and it was great fun.”
Rita’s second Thrive Club starts on Friday May 8, from 1pm to 2pm at Shenfield Union Church, Brentwood. Both sessions will run weekly (except bank holidays) on Fridays and are free to attend for anyone, and offer the chance of refreshments and a chat, with no need to book.
“The Thrive Clubs also attracted me to start a Walfinch care business,” says Rita. “All Walfinch branches offer them. They are free and offer exercise and activities that improve the physical and mental health of people in the community. They also mean local people can find out about our care service.”
Osteoporosis care
Rita is already spreading awareness about the value of exercise in preventing and treating osteoporosis. “My mum has this condition, where the bones weaken and break easily. Half of women over 50 and a third of men over 60 will have a fracture due to osteoporosis, so I am keen to help get the word out through our Thrive Clubs.”
The Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) is Walfinch’s chosen charity, and Rita joined around 50 other Walfinch franchisees, staff and supporters, for a five-kilometre fundraising run/walk on March 29 that has brought Walfinch close to its £10,000 goal.*
Family care
Rita will be running her Walfinch care business around her family. “We have two boys, Viaan, three, and Riyan, 20 months,” she says. “One of the reasons for starting my care business is to spread the family concern for care to my children – and running my own business means I can arrange things so that I see more of them.”
https://walfinch.com/brentwood-chelmsford/
- To donate to ROS via Walfinch @s Just Giving Page go to https://www.justgiving.com/team/walfinch
