Sheffield-based care provider celebrates extensive network growth during last 12 months.
It’s been an excellent start to life for in-home care provider Visiting Angels, which was launched in 2017. They are already recognised as one of the leading care providers in the country and, in Sheffield alone, have recruited 23 new carers during the last few months. And just a few months ago, the company’s network of franchisees came together for their first in-person national conference.
This was an ideal opportunity for franchisees to share their thoughts, as well as offer up their plans and ideas for 2022. Many industry-leading experts attended the event, with keynote speakers including Nicky Moffatt and Neil Eastwood. Nicky is an experienced leadership coach and former army brigadier, while Neil is an authority on care recruitment.
Speakers shared their insight and ideas on business, while there were sessions on the importance and necessity to deliver a high standard of person-centred care during the new millennium. These sessions also covered the need to improve the day-to-day conditions of those working in the sector.
Later, at a black-tie event, awards were presented to franchisees and care staff who contributed to the success of Visiting Angels throughout 2021. Dan Archer, managing director of Visiting Angels UK, talked about the importance of putting carers at the heart of the business, and he is leading the charge for the franchise to develop a reputation as a well-respected ethical care employer and provider.
He said: “I’m proud of the achievements of our incredible team across the country this past 12 months. Despite the difficulties faced by the care industry throughout the pandemic, we have continued to provide unmatched, passion-driven services to everyone who takes advantage of what we offer.
“But the work doesn’t stop after one successful year. Our conference was an opportunity to come together as a network and lay the foundations towards moving forward as a brand, while establishing what more we can do going forward. We are a brand whose mission is to put carers at the heart of our business and deliver a service of which we can be immensely proud, and for many years to come.”
Visiting Angels have ambitions to become the UK’s employer of choice in the care industry. The brand has been recognised as one of the top three emerging franchisors in the UK. This was an accolade bestowed upon the company at the HSBC-sponsored British Franchise Association Awards. And they recently became an associate member of the British Franchise Association (BFA).
At the end of 2021, and after just four years in the UK, Visiting Angels entered the Elite Franchise Top 100 list at No 62. They were also a finalist in the Business Initiative of the Year category at the Homecare Insight Leaders in Care Awards ceremony. And all this followed what was an incredibly difficult 18 months for caregivers due to Covid.
Last summer, to lift the mood during the pandemic, MD Dan Archer hosted Carefest which was a festival event, with live music acts and food trucks. The occasion celebrated the dedication and commitment made by its carers and franchisees to the industry.
Dan extended the invitation to all local NHS and frontline staff, including team members working at the vaccination centre in Chapeltown, near Sheffield, close to the headquarters of Visiting Angels. Building on the values of being Carer centric, the company launched their caregiver wellbeing program called “Angel Care”. It is a free and confidential service which provides mental health support to the staff and caregivers- from counselling to therapy and stress management.
Plans are well underway for another year of network expansion in 2022 when Visiting Angels have ambitions to remain and grow as an industry leader.
This article was brought to you courtesy of Visiting Angels.
