Leading care company SureCare announced the winners of its inaugural awards at the firm’s annual conference.
A total of six awards were handed out at the conference and gala dinner, held at the Hilton Doubletree in Chester.
Winners included Liz Rickman, SureCare’s Croydon franchisee, who won the Franchisee of the Year award.
Managing Director Gary Farrer rang Liz – who was unable to make the conference – to break the good news.
Liz commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive the Franchisee of the Year award and can honestly say that this last 12 months is the best support we have ever received. Thank you to everyone.”
Other winners included Amrit Dhaliwal, SureCare Oxfordshire’s franchisee, who won the Regional Award, Paul Brandrick, SureCare Cheshire East franchisee, who scooped the Achievement Award and Jimmy Anyon, of SureCare Preston, who picked up the Excellence Award.
Cheryl Hawksworth and Caron Oldrieve, of SureCare Doncaster, won the Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Services Award, while Rachel Gallagher, Chester Branch Manager, collected the Branch of the Year Award.
SureCare, which was founded in 1994, operates a network of more than 30 franchises and branches across the UK. Managing Director Farrer acquired the business from Housing & Care 21 in November.
The awards came after an agenda-packed conference which saw a mix of keynote talks from SureCare management and external care sector specialists.
These included Andrew Heffernan and Sarah King, from the UK Home Care Association (UKHCA), who shared their research on the changing care landscape as well as its campaign to improve minimum rates of pay.
Andrew Heffernan reflected: “The ambition is to provide more care at home, but the funding situation does not reflect this.”
His comments supported a Saga / Populus poll which shows that nine out of ten people want to have their care needs met in their own home.
Gary Farrer told delegates: “Our business has to be flexible and adapt to market changes. During the past 18 months, we have introduced a number of new services as well as new branding and new people.”
SureCare Winners
Achievement Award – Cheshire East
Excellence Award – Preston
Regional Award – Oxfordshire
Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Services – Doncaster
Branch of the Year – Chester
Franchisee of the Year – Croydon
