Corporate Vision Issue 7

20 CORPORATE VISION / Issue 7 2018 , Catherine Care is a family run service by the directors, SharronKeown and JimKeown. It has grown in eight years froma very small teamto nowemploying over 100 staffmembers. We profiled the firmand spoke to Sharron aswe looked to gain an insight into how the team consistently provides an exceptional level of service. Encouraging Independence and Inclusion Through Choice Society both impacts on and is impacted by individuals with a Learning Disability. The views of the people with a Learning Disability should influence those around them, ensuring that they have every opportunity to access the same citizenship rights of every other citizen within the community, allowing them to achieve their dreams and aspirations, and to fulfil their potential. This is the philosophy of Catherine Care; all the staff aspire to ensure any person using their services will have every opportunity to achieve this. Catherine Care provides residential care, supported living, care at home and within the community, voluntary and employment support and meaningful day opportunities to people requiring support. This could be because of a learning or physical disability, mental health condition or other reason. In addition to this, the team supports individuals with mild support requirements right through to people with multiple complex social and health requirements. Sharron begins the interview by informing us what differentiates Catherine Care from other competitors, as well as the opportunities they offer to the individuals they work with. “Here at Catherine Care, we are different to other companies, as well as being very experienced health and social care practitioners. Also, we are family carers which gives us a specialised insight and understanding into the challenges faced by not only the people requiring support, but also their families and carers. “Our biggest growth area is our day opportunities. We are constantly offering new activities and opportunities for progression for people, such as tea rooms and a hair and beauty salon. These allow people to learn work skills such as, customer care, 1806CV23 money management, cooking, presentation, how to dress for work in an acceptable way and be valued for what they can offer. Also, our clients have the opportunity to sell their gardening products, arts and crafts that they have created.” The drama department enjoy putting on shows on Catherine Care’s purpose built stage for over a 300 strong audience twice a year. Alongside this, they also participate in shows and performances within the community and at their carers coffee mornings which is held once a month. The tea rooms offer isolated people a place to come and meet others during our weekly chitter chatter groups, and we host children’s afternoon tea parties with themes such as unicorn and Harry Potter afternoon teas. Alongside these sessions, Catherine Care also host other activities, as Sharon explains. “As a whole, we have many sensory activities that suit those people who have more sensory requirements in their package of support such as a hot tub, sensory room, sensory garden, aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki treatments. We have a computer suite where people learn about staying safe on line and a music room for music therapy, as well as a rebound trampoline and staff trained in rebound therapy. Many rooms have overhead tracking. “Currently, we are in the process of developing an outdoor area with wheelchair accessible adult size swings and an indoor soft activity area.” Moving forward, Catherine Care is still actively developing and growing at a very fast pace which is great for the firm. Sharron reflects on the highly skilled team at Catherine Care and how many of them. “At Catherine Care, many of our staff are qualified trainers who are able to deliver training when and where it is needed. The