Franchise Owners - Mick and Jenny Sheehan

Home Instead Senior Care Oldham and Saddleworth opened its doors for business on 1st April 2009. Mick and Jenny Sheehan live in Uppermill, a short distance from their High Street office, with their two children. Both Mick and Jenny went to Saddleworth comprehensive school. Jenny went on to do A levels before starting her career with the NHS where she works as a Nursing Sister in Oldham. Mick did 5 years' service in the Army before getting involved in the health and fitness Industry where he owned and ran two fitness centres.

When the time was right for a new venture Mick and Jenny set out their criteria; ‘run a business that supports the local community and makes a real difference’.

Four years on and at the time of writing this (March 2013), the team have supported over 225 clients with over 58,000 hours of care; had two excellent CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection reports; received many thank you cards, letters and words of praise and currently employ a team of 50 and growing.

Mick works on a voluntary basis, with a consortium of services from the public and private sectors, on increasing the awareness and importance of Dignity in Care.

During 2010, 2011 and 2012 the quality of service provided by the Oldham and Saddleworth office has been recognised by winning two national awards and receiving nominations as finalists in another three awards.

“Hopefully we’re getting it right and if we are it’s because we employ people who really care and are willing to go the extra mile to provide the little things that make a big difference. We don’t run a care company; we run a company that cares.”

Care Manager - Helen Thomas

Helen was previously care manager at a residential home in Huddersfield working with adults with learning disabilities, a post she held for 8 years before deciding it was time for a change.  She then moved to a post at a residential care home for the elderly but soon decided that the job wasn’t for her, she didn’t feel that she would be able to make a difference. Having put her CV on the net, Helen was delighted when Home Instead owners Mick and Jenny Sheehan approached her to come and join them and their team of 32 caregivers. Helen said that she knew as soon as she spoke to Mick that the company ethos was in line with her personal beliefs and this would be a role where she could actually make an impact of other peoples’ lives.  Commenting on her position, Helen said: “I have joined Home Instead Senior Care because I wanted to work in care for a quality driven provider with a genuine passion for the work that they do. I am very proud of the quality service that we are delivering and we are receiving fantastic feedback from both clients and caregivers.Mick Sheehan from Home Instead said, "Helen has a wealth of experience and is passionate about her work and the service we provide. She is a welcome addition to the team and we’re absolutely delighted she has joined us."

Recruitment & Retention Co-ordinator - Debra Sparks

Debra lives in Royton and is currently studying for her CIPD alongside her new role with at-home care company Home Instead. Her new role involves recruiting and training a team of caregivers to provide the highest quality service to clients across Oldham and Saddleworth.

Having worked in the care sector previously, Debra brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Her previous position as development officer for Oldham Carers Centre involved supporting unpaid carers across the region, and prior to this Debra was a service manager for a local office of Age UK.

Debra comments: “I have always heard very positive things about Home Instead and the work they do in the local community. When I learnt about this vacancy, I jumped at the chance to apply! It will be extremely rewarding to help deliver a service I believe in, to the vulnerable adults I have always felt passionately about supporting.”

Staff Co-ordinator - Sharon Longley

I come from an office background based in textiles and fashion. I worked for the Directors before moving within design and development and later export. I then joined a company dealing with Finance, client confidentiality, data protection and compliance.

I joined Home Instead initially as a Caregiver for a few months and also worked part time in the office. I now work in the office full time as the Staff Co-ordinator. I know all the Caregivers due to the open office policy. I feel it is important that I had the experience as a carer as it gave me an understanding of how the job works. I find the job challenging, interesting and one that gives great satisfaction.  I am proud to be part of an organisation that really does make a difference.

Caregivers

Our dedicated team of Caregivers are the true heartbeat of Home Instead Senior Care. We search high and low for people with the right personal qualities to ensure that our Clients receive only the best care and support. It's not always about professional experience; there are a lot of individuals in our team that have supported family, friends and loved ones they make very good Caregivers. We aim to provide care and support to everyone as though they are an extension of our own family and try to maintain as much dignity and independence as possible.

Pictured we have a small selection of our Caregivers, with some of the management team celebrating the companies third birthday.

Mascot - Alfie

Alfie joined our team as the office mascot in February 2013. Alfie is a Boston Terrier (the breed is aka 'American Gentleman') and pictured here he is 3 months old. Alfie's very sociable and gives the whole team plenty of attention and isn't a distraction from our work at all - honest!