Member Article

North Lincolnshire care provider empowers the vulnerable with personalised care

**One 2 One Caring Companion reaches full capacity with the support of UKSE funding **

A community enterprise which provides support and companionship to the elderly and vulnerable people which was launched during the pandemic is on track for expansion after reaching full capacity just two months after it launched.

The inspiration behind One 2 One Caring Companion, which was launched in April 2021, came while Sarah Franklin was working as a rehabilitation care worker for North Lincolnshire Council where she would support service users to improve mobility and daily living skills and build confidence to carry out these activities independently.

Seeing the impact of the pandemic on the vulnerable around her local area was the final push for Sarah to launch her own personalised care business. She wanted to make a hands-on contribution to her local community.

The unique business now provides one-to-one care to clients, including the elderly, those with mobility challenges, and those with mental health and learning difficulties.

Adapting her services depending on the needs of each individual, Sarah helps with a range of support services, as well as providing companionship.

The business is now on track to recruit more caregivers after it reached 80% capacity just two weeks after it launched, with the support from Kickstart funding of UKSE which enabled her to purchase vital IT equipment, and which now has a growing waiting list.

Earlier this year Sarah applied for UKSE kickstart funding – a company that invests in former steel areas – with the funding she managed to buy a laptop and printer for her business, which has provided her clients with many happy memories and personalised support.

Sarah has used the printer for various activities like creating diaries for clients, some with dementia, filled with photos of what they have got up to for the families to see.

Commenting on the venture Sarah said: “Creating One 2 One Caring Companion has really been a passion project for me. Many of my clients have been unable to see family due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so the service I provide has been a real comfort to many, and having that trust from the people I am helping is incredibly rewarding.

“The laptop and printer I bought with the help of UKSE have been invaluable, especially the printer which I have used for various activities like creating diaries for clients – many of whom have dementia – which we have filled with photos of what we have been doing so that they can share that with their families.

“The business has proved hugely successful to date, and I am now in the process of looking for the right person to work alongside me as the waiting list is growing by the day.”

Keith Williams of UKSE commented: “Working with Sarah and seeing the great things she has achieved is one of the most rewarding aspects of our job.

“It’s impossible to overstate the value of the support that she provides to her customers and it’s no surprise that she is in high demand.”

UKSE also provides loan and equity finance of up to £1m to existing companies which are growing, particularly those creating jobs – for further information please contact the team on 0800 915 1188.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Isabella Storey .