The founder of Home Instead Chichester and Bognor Regis | Vicky Meets

How did you come to found Home Instead? Through personal experience. I had looked after both my parents through terminal illness in my late 20s, so I’d had an insight into what people close to you really need at the end of their lives.

Then in March 2015, my grandmother Marie fell at home and spent two weeks in hospital, where she became very weak. She was 95 and had previously lived independently.

When she was discharged, she needed a lot of help with her daily routine, something she wouldn’t have wanted me to support her with. I looked around various care homes but having been so independent for so long, I felt that she would have given up if she’d spent time in any of them.

One of the hospital nurses suggested a new provider in the area – Home Instead. When I called the company and spoke to the ownerand his wife, I just felt like I was speaking to people who understood what my grandma needed.

I was so impressed with the care that when I discovered that it was a national franchise, and that the Chichester franchise was available, I opted in. I started the service locally in 2015.

My grandma was the wisest person I’ve known.

I am so proud and happy that she lived to see me start a business that she inspired!

What are the biggest challenges facing the care industry? Our ageing population. Also what I call the de-personalisation of care, which is due to under-funding. Care is a ‘people’ business. In a computerised age we, as a society, seem to value personal interaction less and less.

That might work in other industries, but it does not work in care.

What should families look for in a good care-giving provider? A service with an ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ rating that offers genuine continuity. Also, make sure they have enough time to build a relationship – at least an hour if possible.

And then introduce care as early as possible so that a trusting relationship can form. By matching the right person for support, a trusting relationship very quickly becomes established.

That is transformative for the patient, and also for the family who were grappling with the options.

What do you love about your work? Caring for other people is a vocation, not just a job. I have found working in care so refreshing after working in many other industries.

It has its challenges, but people work in care because they want to make a difference – that is what makes it so special.

I have also recently helped set up a Chichester-based charity, Terry’s Place. Here older people and their carers can take a break and enjoy company and activities in a relaxed setting. It’s been hard work, but it is so rewarding.

Where can we find more info? Home Instead operates in Chichester, Bognor Regis and The Witterings. For details, call 01243 884111, or visit homeinstead.co.uk/chichester

See also: Chichester Area Talking News’ vice-chairman | Vicky Meets