MD of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, is flying out to South Africa on a major recruitment drive.
Since she set up the live-in care agency in Gloucestershire 15 years ago, the company has expanded rapidly, and the search for suitable carers has been relentless.
It led her to set up Corinium Care offices in South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2005, followed by a new venture in New Zealand last year. Her latest trip involves hosting eight seminars in five South African cities, seeking carers for the company’s elderly and disabled clients all over the UK.
“South Africa offers us a great opportunity. The people are hard-working, with the right life skills behind them,” said Camilla. “We do get applicants from the UK, but not nearly enough.”
The seminars take place from October 7-15 in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, and Capetown.
The aim is to explain to potential carers what the role of a live-in carer involves. Several South African carers who have worked for Corinium Care in the past will be there to answer questions.
“They are the ones who have packed their bags, travelled thousands of miles and landed at London Airport in the snow to work in a foreign country. They can tell others what to expect,” said Camilla.
She added that carers tend to be women aged 45-60 whose children have left home and who want to travel or visit relatives in Britain.
“They have spent a lifetime caring for their families. For many it’s a new start, and a new lease of life,” said Camilla.
Corinium Care is one of the leading care agencies in Britain with 14 staff at its head office in George Street, Nailsworth and 800 registered carers. Hard work and high standards have helped Corinium’s business to quadruple in the past ten years.
“We benefit from the fact that the elderly population in the UK is soaring and at the same time more people are choosing to remain in their own homes with a live-in carer,” said Camilla.