Sun continues to shine for care company

A care company that was set up by former Rochdale Council employees is celebrating its first anniversary.

Sunshine Care was set up by a group of ex-carers from the Council's Adult Care service.

The group felt that the skills and experience they had gathered over many years working for the Council should not be lost. So they decided to set up their own social enterprise under an employee owned cooperative business model. After receiving some grant aid from several different sources, the group formally launched their business last year.

Regulated by the Quality Care Commission, Sunshine Care's approach is very much person centred, providing a quality and a dignity of care that people value.

They have even taken on additional staff as the business has grown over the last few months. The developing success of the enterprise is heralded further by an imminent move into a new headquarters that is more centrally located to Rochdale.

Having that experience within the caring sector has convinced Sunshine Care to place a real value on the training and the ongoing development of staff. They also want to continue to grow, especially as more and more individuals in the borough will soon be entitled to a personal budget for their care needs. To assist this aim, Sunshine Care has been granted an accredited status within the Council's list of local providers of care services.

The manager of Sunshine Care, Christine Bailey, said: "Although we have had a reasonable start, we can not continue to build our business unless more and more people get to know about the quality care services we deliver and spread the word."

The Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “Sunshine Care is a fine example of what I want to see happen in Rochdale, which is more co-operatives and Social Enterprise and Mutuals.

“These ladies have grasped the initiative, and have really taken a lead in setting themselves up as a viable business.

“They now have lots of growth opportunities ahead of them and I want to see them become a great example of what a social enterprise vision can achieve."

Balderstone and Kirkholt Councillor, Dale Mulgrew, who helped the company get started, said: "I have witnessed this little acorn grow into the established business it has become and this was a fine achievement; but to reach the first anniversary is really fabulous to see."

"I think it is incredibly important within the health and social sectors that we see the development and a flourishing of the third sector. By encouraging social enterprises, charities and not for profit organisations to get a foothold in the borough alongside private providers, this will enable service user's decision making around choice and control to be truly honoured locally."