Pitman Training Super Achievers Inspirational Achiever of the Year - Caremark Worcester & Malvern Hills
Recipient: Caremark Worcester & Malvern Hills
Date: Friday 05 May 2017
Caremark is delighted to introduce Caroline Balmer, the winner of SuperAchievers Inspirational Achiever of the Year 2017! Read her story and see why their judges felt she deserved this award…
Caroline previously worked in the care sector for over 15 years, first working as a Community Care Worker and progressing through to Care Manager. Through her work she saw first-hand how dementia can affect a person and their family members. She was affected personally too when her Nan developed Alzheimer’s disease. Through her experiences, Caroline was driven to start her own business to provide the high level of service she feels those in need deserve, here began Caremark (Worcester and Malvern Hills).
There were a number of challenges at the beginning of her journey. Of course the care industry is highly regulated so the first challenge was to register with the Care Quality Commission which would then allow her to provide specialist care services. Once registered a solid recruitment drive was put into action to recruit and train the new staff ready for a role caring for the vulnerable. Not only was she tackling the processes and legalities of setting up a new business, Caroline was also studying for a degree in Dementia Studies and of course Caroline and her husband still had the usual bills to pay throughout. Her husband fully supported Caroline in her efforts and maintained his role as a Postman to retain a steady income.
Now the business is more established her husband has joined the business and now manages the recruitment side of things. They are delighted to see the difference their services make to the customer lives. As Caroline says herself: “Often you only hear about the negatives in the care industry, but there are thousands of hard working carers out there every day doing an amazing job." Happily, through hard work and determination, Caroline completed her degree within the first year of training, achieving a 2:1.
Caremark has now been trading for over 12 months and handles over 60 customers and employs over 30 staff members. Plans are already underway for further business growth with hopes to be able to provide a further 40 jobs and expand further afield. As future plans progress Caroline hopes to involve herself with charity fundraising and further her interests in Dementia and to provide a Dementia Specialist Service.
When she entered Caroline was asked why she felt should win this award, she commented: “It’s hard to blow your own trumpet but I am very proud of what I have grown in one year of business. I have gone from picking up the keys to an empty office to becoming a thriving business in 12 months, as well as completing a degree. I have created a vibrant, diverse team of 35 lovely people who go out every day and provide care and companionship to people in their own homes. It’s something I am passionate about and it is exciting and rewarding to watch it grow and change people’s lives. It would be amazing to receive an award and would be testament to everyone in the business and the great work they do every day.”
Entrepreneur Claire Barratt chose Caroline as one of her winners and said: “Without doubt Caroline is truly an Inspirational Achiever of the Year. Completing a degree, starting and building her own business, employing 30 staff and ambition to involve herself in charity fundraising – her determination to continue to achieve is outstanding.”
Fellow Judge Jennifer Corcoran commented: “Caroline is the definition of a true SuperAchiever! Over the course of a year she has completed a degree and set up a thriving business which is serving a real need in her community. Not only is she helping to provide care and companionship to people in their own homes but she is also providing employment to a team of 35 people. This is one lady who truly deserves to toot her own horn!”