Corinium Care

It arrived! Truck load of aid from Corinium Care reaches Zimbabwe

2011-12-14T06:14:00.001-08:00

We did it! The truck load of equipment collected by Corinium Care arrived safely in Zimbabwe and was welcomed with open arms.

Staff and residents of the Edith Duly Nursing Home in Bulawayo were overwhelmed by the shipment from Gloucestershire.

It included walking frames, wheelchairs, walking sticks and hearing aids which are like gold dust in the strife-torn country.

“It was as if Christmas had arrived on their doorstep,” said Corinium Care Managing Director Camilla Miles who flew out to visit the nursing home in November.

“Because we’d asked everyone to support us, I wanted to see with my own eyes what was happening to everything you all donated.

“There is no doubt that absolultely nothing will be wasted. The staff are the most magnificent people who do amazing work in very trying circumstances.

“They have to grow their own vegetables because they can’t get them in the shops, the water supply and electricity supplies are intermittent, the medicine cupboard is pretty bare, and the cooker had to be seen to be believed.

“The elderly people being cared for have lost everything.”

The company decided to adopt the charity Homes in Zimbabwe in 2010 because many of our live-in carers come from the African country. Being a carer in the UK offers an income and a safe haven.

“The stories they tell us about life in Zimbabwe made us realise that there is a real need, and we wanted to give something back,” said Camilla.

That was the cue for the start of a year of fundraising. Corinium staff have pumped iron at the gym, pedalled miles through the Cotswolds, baked delicious cakes and, with the support of carers and clients, have now sent a truck load of equipment to Zimbabwe.

Together our staff, clients and carers have raised a staggering £6,000 for HIZ. Thankyou so much!

“It’s been an amazing year and we’re very grateful that everyone has responded so generously,” said Camilla.

Homes In Zimbabwe provides food and medicine to the elderly who are in desperate need because of the collapse of the economy.

It is the largest supplier of food to pensioners in Zimbabwe. It supports a soup kitchen and a mobile clinic taking vital medicines to those who need them.

Anyone who wants to support HIZ can do so at www.justgiving.com/Coriniumcare

Triple accolade at Great South West Care Awards

2011-11-14T02:56:00.000-08:00

Triple accolade at Great South West Care Awards

Corinium Care staff received a triple accolade in the Great South West Care Awards.

The company was shortlisted in two categories: the Care Employer and Care Team Awards. In addition, Corinium’s Director of Care Services Clare Janik was a finalist for the Care Trainer Award.

The scheme is a celebration of excellence which aims to promote best practice and pay tribute to outstanding standards, enterprise and dedication.

Corinium Care was up against professionals from all areas of the care sector in the South West, including residential homes, the NHS and big business.

MD Camilla Miles said: “We were thrilled to receive such praise for the team as a whole.

“Caring is at the heart of all we do. We recognise that what our clients want most is dignity, compassion and understanding at the most vulnerable time of their lives. And we make it our mission to ensure that they find it in both our head office staff and our live-in carers.”

The business she founded in 1995 provides 24-hour care for frail and elderly people in their own homes. It has 17 staff at its head office in George Street and 800 registered carers worldwide. This year it won the title Business in the Year in the Gloucestershire Media Women in Business Awards.

The company’s longest serving employee, Director of Operations Amanda Butler, said team work was central to success. “It’s essential that everyone knows their role, but we also help each other at every turn, whether it’s opening the post or taking a vital call,” she said.

Director of Care Services Clare Janik has played a huge role in ensuring that the training Corinium offers is first class. Unlike most of its competitors, the company runs a free training course every month for about 16 new carers, most of whom come from abroad and have little experience.

“Many say the course is an inspiration and has changed their lives,” said Clare.

The South West Care Awards ceremony was held in Bristol.

Corinium Care launches first recruitment seminar in Zimbabwe

2011-09-30T01:49:00.000-07:00

Corinium Care is staging its first recruitment seminar in Zimbabwe on October 14th.

Managing Director Camilla Miles will head up the event in Bulawayo, seeking live-in carers for the company’s elderly and disabled clients in the UK.

She will also host a thankyou lunch for more than 50 Zimbabwean carers who have worked for Corinium Care in the last ten years, providing 24-hour care for people in their own homes.

“It seemed the perfect opportunity to thank the carers who have put in so much work for us in the past,” she said.

The company, based in Gloucestershire, is one of the leading care agencies in Britain. It has 17 staff and more than 800 registered carers from Britain and abroad. It has recruitment offices in South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand. This year it won the title Business of the Year.

The aim of the seminar is to explain to potential carers what the role of a live-in carer involves. Women who have worked for Corinium Care in the past will be there to answer questions. Many are aged 45-60 whose children have left home and who want to travel or visit relatives in Britain.

“Zimbabwe is for us a great opportunity for us,” said Camilla. “The people are hard-working with the right life skills behind them. For many it’s a new start, and a new lease of life. Being a live-in carer in the UK also offers a reliable source of income.”

Corinium Care began taking live-in carers from Zimbabwe ten years ago when news about the company spread by word of mouth. A recruitment office was set up in Harare in 2005 and is run by the company’s agent in Zimbabwe Jenny Osbourne who will be present at the October seminar.

“Our seminars offer a real chance to promote the benefits of live-in care to a new audience, and to offer opportunities to people who might not necessarily have considered a career in care work abroad,” said Camilla.

All who attend the seminar in Bulawayo must have eligibility to work in the UK. All registered carers take part in Corinium Care’s free, award-winning, five-day training programme in the UK which includes personal care, dementia care, recognising signs of abuse, and moving and handling.

Last year the company adopted the charity Homes in Zimbabwe which provides food for pensioners.

For more info about the seminar, contact jenny@corinium.co.zw, +263 4 850271

corinium.co.zw

UK company Corinium Care launches recruitment drive in South Africa

2011-09-30T01:45:00.000-07:00

UK company Corinium Care is staging a series of recruitment seminars in South Africa in October.

Managing Director Camilla Miles will head up the events in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pietermaritzburg and Durban from October 5-12, seeking live-in carers for the company’s elderly and disabled clients in the UK.

The dates of the seminars are: Capetown, October 5 and 6; Port Elizabeth, October 8; Pietermaritzburg, October 10; Durban, October 11; and Kloof, October 12.

The award-winning company is one of the leading care agencies in Britain. It has 17 staff and more than 800 registered carers from Britain and abroad providing 24-hour care for people in their own homes. It has recruitment offices in South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

The aim of the seminars in South Africa is to explain to potential carers what the role of a live-in carer involves.

Some women who have worked for Corinium Care in the UK in the past will be there to answer questions. Many are aged 45-60 whose children have left home and who want to travel or visit relatives in Britain.

“The people we see in South Africa are hard-working with the right life skills behind them. For many it’s a new start, and a new lease of life,” said Camilla. “Being a live-in carer in the UK also offers a reliable source of income.”

All who attend the seminars must have eligibility to work in the UK.

Alongside Camilla at the events will be the company’s agent in South Africa, Lindy Wareing, who was a carer for Corinium in 2003 and later joined the office staff in the UK.

“I know how it feels to travel half way across the world and face a whole new experience so I can tell potential carers what the job is like,” said Lindy.

Corinium’s carers from South Africa usually spend three to six months in the UK. All registered carers take part in Corinium Care’s award-winning, one-week training programme in the UK which includes personal care, dementia care, recognising signs of abuse, and moving and handling.

“Our business has quadrupled in the past ten years and our search for suitable carers has been relentless,” said Camilla, who founded Corinium Care in 1995.

“The reason for that growth is linked to the growth of the elderly population in the UK. At the same time, more people are choosing to remain in their own homes with a live-in carer.”

For more information, contact Lindy Wareing on 046 675 1994 or email mail@coriniumcare.co.za

www.coriniumcare.co.za

Carer Viorica flies high for Pippa and therapy centre

2011-09-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

It was a high-flying double act when Pippa Roberts and her Corinium live-in carer Viorica Boitor raised almost £4,000 with a charity parachute jump.

Viorica did the 15,000ft tandem jump, whilst Pippa badgered friends and relatives for sponsorship.

Their aim: to support the Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Warminster where Pippa receives regular therapy.

Pippa, 65, from Downton, near Salisbury has suffered from primary progressive multiple sclerosis for 30 years.

"I go to the therapy centre every week - it's essential in helping me to keep mobile and able to function in my home environment. As the NHS cannot support this kind of service on a regular basis, the weekly physiotherapy is extremely important. Helping to raise some money was an opportunity to do my bit for the centre," she said.

"I’m proud that we made £3,800. I’ve been busy on the telephone, writing to people, going up and down the street knocking on doors and badgering friends and relations."

Viorica, 40, a carer with Corinium Care since 2008, was born in Romania and has been with Pippa for more than two years.

"The MS centre is really important for people like Pippa whose ability to walk changes from one day to another. This jump was a small contribution I could make to help ensure it survives, and it was an enjoyable project that Pippa and I could do together."

The jump took place in Devon. "The first minute was in freefall which was quite frightening. But as soon as the parachute opened it was an absolutely unforgettable experience," said Viorica.

The Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, who sponsored Viorica, said: “Viorica is an excellent carer and her willingness to go the extra 15,000 ft to support Pippa is admirable."

Anyone who wants to add to the fundraising total can send a cheque, payable to the Wessex MS Therapy Centre, to Mrs Roberts at Minton Cottage, 20 The Borough, Downton SP5 3ND.

Our Truck is on its Way to Help Elderly People in Zimbabwe

2011-04-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

Three walking sticks, five wheelchairs, 14 walking frames, and a host of other equipment are on the way to help elderly people in Africa, thanks to Corinium Care.

The live-in care agency has adopted the charity Homes in Zimbabwe which provides food and medicine to the elderly in the strife-torn country.

They appealed to their clients and carers to donate equipment they no longer needed and soon filled a container from floor to ceiling.

“Our clients and carers were brilliant and we’d like to thank them for their generosity,” said Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles.

Her staff asked for anything from Zimmer frames and beds to bandages and spectacles.

“We didn’t think we’d fill a truck so quickly but soon after we’d sent out an appeal, we were overwhelmed with all sorts of things,” added Camilla. “The response was amazing.”

Corinium Care adopted HIZ after Camilla met the charity’s front man in Gloucestershire, Sean Kelly, 55, who was born in Zimbabwe and left shortly after Robert Mugabe came to power.

He was in Nailsworth to collect the equipment and get it shipped to Africa.

“This is great,” he said. “The situation in Zimbabwe is desperate and we need all the help we can get. We’re really grateful that Corinium Care is able to support us.”

Camilla added: “A lot of our carers come from Zimbabwe so this struck a chord with the whole company.”

“They have told us how desperate it is for pensioners who find themselves destitute, and we decided to give something back.”

Corinium Care, based in George Street, specialises in providing 24-hour live-in care for the elderly and infirm. It has 800 registered carers on its books. It has recruitment offices in New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Anyone who wants to support HIZ can do so at www.justgiving.com/Coriniumcare

Corinium Care Wins Business of the Year Award

2011-03-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

WE are delighted to announce that Corinium Care has won the title of Business of the Year.

The live-in care agency came away with the top prize in the Gloucestershire Media Women in Business Awards at a glittering ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse, attended by 250 people.

“It’s a marvellous accolade,” said Managing Director Camilla Miles. “We’re absolutely thrilled that the whole team at Corinium has been recognised.”

The event, sponsored by Coutts, attracted 70 entries from all over Gloucestershire.

Sarah Irvine, the MD of organisers Gloucestershire Media, said the awards were about giving the county’s female entrepreneurs the recognition they deserve.

“The number of entries and calibre was outstanding and to reach the finals of this competition is in itself evidence of a winning performance.”

The judges were looking for a profitable business with a high percentage of women in the management team. Companies needed to demonstrate a positive impact on the economy, innovation, and expansion into new markets.

Corinium Care, founded by Camilla Miles in 1995, has 16 female staff at its head office in Nailsworth, and 95 per cent of its 800 registered carers are female.

The company has grown from a one-woman venture to an award-winning business, and a market leader in the live-in care industry with an increasing client list and a rapidly rising turnover.

It has twice been rated ‘Excellent’ by the Care Quality Commission, and has recruitment offices in New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“We have made a concerted effort to push industry standards and are always seeking ways to improve by offering a first-class service, excellent carers of talent and dedication, underpinned by exemplary training,” said Camilla.

“Our trademark is putting the personal touch at the heart of all we do, which produces the best results for clients, carers and staff. It is rewarding when that is recognised so publicly.”

Fifteen live-in carers take part in dementia care training

2011-03-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

FIFTEEN live-in carers took part in a dementia training day, organised by Corinium Care.

The one-day course, held at the agency’s head office in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, featured all aspects of dementia from emotional issues to the physical aspects of moving and handling.

Carers were given examples of what to expect from someone with dementia and offered solutions as to how to manage it.

The trainees were all registered carers with Corinium who welcomed the chance to refresh their knowledge.

“It’s superb that Corinium Care offers this kind of training – not all agencies do by any means,” said Jacqui Shultz, 55, from South Africa who has been a carer with Corinium for four years.

“Caring for an elderly person with dementia can be tricky for both parties if you’re not prepared. This course definitely helps build your confidence.”

Leading the sessions were Training and Care Manager Jeannette Pellatt, and Training Manager Suzanne Hathaway, with Managing Director Camilla Miles.

Carers appreciated the opportunity to meet up with head office staff in Nailsworth.

“When we’re with a client, we need to know that someone is there to support us, and the back-up we get from Corinium has been fantastic,” said Jacqui.

Award-winning Corinium Care considers training a vital part of its business: last year more than 200 people took part in courses on how to look after someone with dementia.

They included new and existing carers and relatives of people with dementia.

The incurable disease affects about 680,000 people in the UK. According to government statistics, the number is forecast to increase by 38 per cent in the next 15 years.

One in five people over 80 has a form of dementia, and one in 20 people over 65 has a form of dementia. Two thirds of care home residents have dementia.

Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, said that helping carers to communicate with their clients is vital for the wellbeing of both parties.

“People with dementia can often feel confused and incapable,” she said.

“If carers haven’t come across that before, they need help to deal with it. There isn’t enough training out there for dementia care – not even for doctors and nurses - so we decided to provide it ourselves. We feel passionately about it.”

Mrs Miles, who set up Corinium Care in 1995, added: “We have the opportunity to provide one-to-one dementia care and dementia care training

in a dignified and safe environment and to allay fears about what can be a very uncertain future for the client and their families.”

The agency has 800 registered carers on its books. It has 16 full-time staff in Gloucestershire, as well as recruitment offices in New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Carer Sally Donates A Day's Pay To Charity

2011-01-26T02:56:00.000-08:00

Live-in carer Sally Rudman left a parting gift when she returned to South Africa after her latest placement with Corinium Care.

She donated a day’s wages to Homes in Zimbabwe, the company’s adopted charity.

“It’s a way of giving back for the way this caring venture has enriched my life, by opening doors to reach new heights of possibility,” said Sally, who lives in Pretoria with her husband of 38 years Neville.

Sally, 59, has been a carer with Corinium for four years and read about Homes in Zimbabwe on the company website.

“There is so much corrupton in charity work in Africa that I have become sceptical about donating money. But I get the impression that HIZ is a well-run charity with an army of volunteers and few overheads which reassures me that it’s all above board,” she said.

“I am aware of the huge need in my own country and can only imagine how much worse Zimbabwe must be.”

HIZ provides food and medicine for the elderly who are in desperate straits because of the collapse of the economy in Zimbabwe.

The charity feeds 1,800 people in residential homes who would otherwise starve. It also supports a mobile clinic, taking vital medicines to sick elderly people.

It needs money to buy food, fuel, water tanks, ovens, washing machines and wheelchairs. With £25, HIZ can feed a person for a month and every penny goes to those in need.

Sally took up caring as a career when her six children left home.

“Everyone thought I was bonkers but my reaction was that I’d be doing what I had been doing for many years, except I’d be appreciated, thanked and paid for it,” she said.

“It’s also enabled me to travel the world. The spin-offs have opened doors and thrown opportunities my way, making my dreams come true. Along the way I have met so many interesting people, gained confidence and generally reached a new level in what I have learned about myself.”

The Corinium Care team have so far raised almost £5,000 for HIZ.

Director of Care Services, Clare Armstrong, said: “Sally’s gift is a really generous gesture. Because of our links with Zimbabwe, HIZ has struck a chord with our staff, clients and carers and we’re really grateful that they’re all so willing to support us.”

Anyone who wants to add to the HIZ fundraising total can do so at www.justgiving.com/Coriniumcare

Dementia care becomes indispensable part of live-in carers’ training

2010-12-13T03:02:00.000-08:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care has trained more than 200 people in dementia care in the last year in response to increasing demand.

The company, based in Gloucestershire, provides free training in a raft of subjects for new carers.

Earlier this year it started to offer special one-day refresher training in dementia care to all their existing carers.

It then launched a one-day seminar in dementia care for relatives of elderly clients.

Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, said that helping carers to communicate with their clients is vital for the wellbeing of both parties.

“People with dementia can often feel frightened, confused, threatened and incapable,” she said.

“If carers haven’t come across that before, they need help to deal with it. There isn’t enough training out there for dementia care – not even for doctors and nurses - so we decided to provide it ourselves. We feel passionately about it.”

Carers undergoing dementia care training appreciated the opportunity to widen their knowledge.

Beverley Phillips, whose client has dementia, said: “Dementia is a can of worms yet to be unleashed in the UK and people are only just waking up to the seriousness of the situation.

“In my small way I’d like to help spread the word that dementia is not a stigma, and not something to be swept under the carpet.

“Everyone should get a better understanding and do what they can to help those with dementia retain as much dignity and quality of life as possible.”

Training sessions in dementia care take place at Corinium Care’s offices in Nailsworth. Carers are given examples of what to expect from someone with dementia and offered solutions as to how to manage it.

“We can’t expect a client with dementia to adapt to us – we have to adapt to them and communicate in a way which puts them at ease,” said Mrs Miles.

“There are many ways of doing that – building up the client’s self-esteem, expressing ideas in a positive way, avoiding the word ‘don’t’, not asking questions they can’t answer.”

She added that one of the most difficult aspects of dementia to grasp is the loss of logic and reason. “What should a carer do if the client puts toothpaste on her toothbrush, then brushes her hair with it?” she asked.

“Everything takes time too. But it’s important that our clients are allowed to do things for themselves and feel at the end of it that they’ve achieved something.”

She pointed out that a lot of the unusual habits which people with dementia adopt, like wearing odd clothes, or drinking their tea out of a saucer, are a reflection of our own perception of received behaviour.

“If we try to teach them to act differently, we are expecting them to adapt, which is unlikely to happen. What we have to ask ourselves is: does it matter? Is the client putting herself at risk?”

Mrs Miles, who set up Corinium Care in 1995, said: “We have the opportunity to provide one-to-one dementia care in a dignified and safe environment and to allay fears in what can be a very uncertain future for the client and their families.”

The award-winning agency, based in George Street, has 800 registered carers on its books. It has 15 staff at its head office in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, as well as recruitment offices in New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Dementia facts

Dementia is the term used to describe symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

There are more than 100 different types of dementia.

Symptoms include loss of memory, mood changes, anxiety, and communication problems. It is a terminal condition.

There are about 680,000 people with dementia in the UK. According to government statistics, the number is forecast to increase by 38 per cent in the next 15 years.

One in five people over 80 has a form of dementia, and one in 20 people over 65 has a form of dementia. Two thirds of care home residents have dementia.

The number of older people in Gloucestershire is above the national average: in 2006 there were an estimated 8,000 people in the county, aged 65 and over, living with dementia. This is projected to rise by 50 per cent to nearly 12,000 in 2025.

Each year, £32m in government funding goes towards finding new treatments and ways of preventing or curing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society, whose patron is author Sir Terry Pratchett, says it’s not enough.

Corinium Care Reaches Finals of Great South West Care Awards

2010-11-16T06:41:00.000-08:00

Live-in care agency Corinium Care made it to the finals of the Great South West Care Awards.

The company was shortlisted for the Care Employer Award for organisations with less than 250 staff.

The awards are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. They aim to promote best practice and pay tribute to outstanding standards, enterprise and dedication.

Corinium Care’s MD Camilla Miles was delighted that her company was up there with the best in Britain.

“There are three strands to our business: our clients, our carers and our office staff, and our commitment to care permeates every aspect,” she said.

“We recognise that care and compassion is what our clients most want. At the same time, the live-in carers we place with them need to know that we are there to support them.

“We make a concerted effort to get to know all our clients and carers personally and do our utmost to create a good match so both are happy. We’re proud of our record of putting two people together who go on to develop a bond of mutual respect and loyalty.

“Our head office staff also maintain regular contact with our carers so they know we’re only a phone call away.”

She added that all new staff at Nailsworth get a bunch of flowers on their first day at work.

The South West Care Awards dinner was held in Bristol on November 5.

The 20 categories represented all areas of the care sector in the South West, from residential homes to the NHS and big business.

Fitness Ace Carl Gets Care Team Into Shape for Charity

2010-11-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

FITNESS trainer Carl Benton went the extra mile when one of his customers asked for help.

Clare Armstrong and seven colleagues from Corinium Care decided to stage a 46-mile charity bike ride. But they were pretty unfit.

So Carl gave them a free circuit-training class at his Personal Best Studio in Frogmarsh Mill, Woodchester to help get them into shape.

Operations Director Amanda Butler approached the exercises with gusto. “It was great but I couldn’t walk for a week afterwards,” she said.

Clare, Director of Care Services with live-in care agency Corinium Care, started training at the Personal Best gym in March and has dropped three dress sizes since.

“Carl’s done a great job. So when we were gearing up for the Corinium Care charity bike ride, I thought the other cyclists might like his help,” she said.

Carl was quick to agree. “It’s for a good cause,” he said. “The session gave them some idea of what was in store so they could do 46 miles without injury.”

The cycling event was arranged to raise money for Homes in Zimbabwe, a charity which supports elderly people in the African country.

Taking part were Clare, Managing Director Camilla Miles, Amanda Butler, Suzanne Hathaway, Beverley Promnitz, Fiona Hale, Natasha Skowron, and Rachel Dedman.

Anyone who wants to support the cyclists can go to www.justgiving.com/Coriniumcare

Corinium Care Reaches Finals of Great South West Care Awards

2010-11-10T03:37:00.000-08:00

Live-in care agency Corinium Care made it to the finals of the Great South West Care Awards.

The company, based in Nailsworth, was shortlisted for the Care Employer Award for organisations with less than 250 staff.

The awards are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. They aim to promote best practice and pay tribute to outstanding standards, enterprise and dedication.

Corinium Care’s MD Camilla Miles is delighted that her company has been recognised.

“There are three strands to our business: our clients, our carers and our office staff, and our commitment to care permeates every aspect,” she said.

“We recognise that care and compassion is what our clients most want. At the same time, the live-in carers we place with them need to know that we are there to support them.

“Our head office staff also maintain regular contact with our carers so they know we’re only a phone call away.”

She added that all new staff at Nailsworth get a bunch of flowers on their first day at work.

The winners of the South West Care Awards were announced at a dinner in Bristol on November 5. The 20 categories represent all areas of the care sector in the South West, from residential homes to the NHS and big business.

Corinium Care Launches First Recruitment Drive in Ireland

2010-11-10T03:31:00.000-08:00

Corinium Care is staging a major recruitment drive in Ireland for the first time.

The agency will host six seminars all over the Republic, seeking live-in carers for the company’s elderly and disabled clients.

“In the current economic uncertainty we’re aware that working in England might appeal to people who want a new start in life,” said Managing Director Camilla Miles.

The company, based in Gloucestershire, is one of the leading care agencies in Britain. It has 15 staff and more than 800 registered carers from Britain and abroad. It has recruitment offices in South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

This is its first attempt to seek carers from Ireland.

“Our business has quadrupled in the past ten years and our search for suitable carers has been relentless,” said Camilla, who founded Corinium Care in 1995.

“The reason for that growth is linked to the growth of the elderly population in the UK. At the same time, more people are choosing to remain in their own homes with a live-in carer,” said Camilla.

The agency provides 24-hour care for elderly and disabled people in their own homes.

The seminars take place from November 20-26 in Dublin (November 20), Wexford (November 22), Cork (November 23), and Limerick (November 25), and Galway (November 26).

In charge will be Corinium Care’s Director of Operations Amanda Butler and Director of Care Services Clare Armstrong who will give presentations on what the role of a live-in carer involves.

“We hope to speak to people who have considered starting a career in live-in care but are wary of taking the plunge,” said Amanda.

She added that carers tend to be women aged 45-60 whose children have left home. They don’t need any experience but must have an EU passport or be eligible to work in the UK. “For many it’s a new start and a new lease of life,” she said.

Corinium Care has an award-winning training programme, and was rated ‘Excellent’ in 2010 by the UK’s Care Quality Commission.

Camilla Launches Recruitment Drive to South Africa

2010-09-29T02:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Trudi joins Corinium Care in Nailsworth

2010-09-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

Live-in care agency Corinium Care has welcomed Trudi Powderly to its team in Nailsworth.

Trudi is the new Bookings Assistant at the company in George Street.

A former pupil of Thomas Keble School in Eastcombe, she trained as a nursery nurse at Stroud College.
After a spell as a nanny in Bristol and Jersey, she returned to Gloucestershire in 1985 with her husband Kevin, a rugby coach. Their two children, Beckie and Chris, are now 23 and 21.

Trudi, 48, has been a classroom assistant at Minchinhampton School for the last 15 years. Her job with Corinium Care, which provides 24-hour live-in care for the elderly and infirm, is a departure from education.

“I’ve spent a lifetime in schools talking to parents about their children. Now I’m talking to children about their parents – it’s both a challenge and a change,” she said.

Corinium Care was founded in 1995 by MD Camilla Miles. “I’m thrilled that Trudi is joining us. She’s a great addition to the team,” she said.

The company has 14 staff in Nailsworth, and 800 registered carers on its books.

Care Agency's New Faces

2010-07-06T01:42:00.000-07:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care has welcomed two new staff to its team in Nailsworth.

Laura Graham, 35, has taken up a new post as assistant care manager at the company in George Street. She moved to Gloucestershire in 2009.

Maisie Shrubsall, 28, is the new recruitment and training coordinator. A former pupil of Katharine Lady Berkeley's school, she went to London to study in 2003.She has just returned from travelling and lives in Wotton-under-Edge.

Care Quality Commission awards Corinium Care an ‘Excellent’ rating

2010-04-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

CORINIUM Care staff are delighted that the company has won an ‘Excellent’ rating from inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission awarded the live-in care agency in Nailsworth three stars, the highest accolade.

Inspectors spent a day with Corinium Care staff in George Street, and sought feedback from clients and care staff.

They judged the company on factors such as personal care, management, training, and standards of service.

Corinium received particular praise for its attempts to make sure its elderly clients have a live-in carer with whom they get on well and who takes on board their likes and dislikes.

“The agency works hard to match the right care staff with people and the feedback we received is that they do this very well,” said Inspector Sharon Hayward-Wright.

There was also praise for the award-winning training which Corinium Care provides for its carers, all of whom undergo a five-day induction and are offered regular refresher training.

Ms Hayward-Wright added: “We received very positive feedback about the high standard of service this agency provides to people who use the service and care staff.”

The CQC noted that Corinium Care staff also provide comprehensive information to clients, carry out excellent assessment of clients’ needs before finding them a carer, keep in close contact with clients and their families, and are always helpful and caring to clients and carers.

MD of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, was pleased with the report.

“Our three-star rating is testament to the effort that goes into making Corinium Care such a good company. We put the personal touch at the heart of everything we do. And it’s very rewarding when that is officially recognised,” she said.

To see the full CQC report, click here

Amanda and Rachel rewarded for their efforts

2010-04-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

WHEN Rachel Dedman and Amanda Butler reached their tenth anniversary at Corinium Care, their boss couldn’t let the occasion go by without a celebration.

So Managing Director Camilla Miles arranged a trip to the Billy Elliot show in London – and took the whole company along for the ride.

Ten staff piled into a bus at the Corinium Care offices in Nailsworth, had a luxury picnic on the way, stopped off for some shopping in Kensington, and enjoyed the show at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

“It was a very nice gesture,” said Amanda. “The show was excellent, and it was great to share the event with everyone else. We’re a very close-knit team.”

Amanda, Director of Operations at Corinium Care live-in care agency in George Street, grew up in Minchinhampton. She worked in the newspaper industry until 1998. In 1999 she met Camilla Miles when they both lived in Bisley and walked their dogs together.

Amanda started working for Camilla in an administrative role for a few hours a week in 2000. She became Director of Operations in 2007.

“I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. I’m very proud of the company and of what we’ve achieved in ten years,” she said.

Rachel grew up in Nailsworth. She trained as a nursery nurse, and then as an accounting technician. She is now Company Secretary.

“It’s a pleasure to have been involved in the growth of Corinium Care. And the trip to Billy Elliott was wonderful – a very memorable evening,” she said.

Camilla paid tribute to Rachel and Amanda’s loyalty and hard work. “They’ve both been fantastic. Corinium Care wouldn’t be what it is today without them.”

She decided to book the Billy Elliot outing because she knew both wanted to go to the show. “It’s not the sort of thing their husbands are interested in, and it seemed like a good idea,” she said.

Corinium shortlisted for National Training Awards

2010-03-12T03:34:00.000-08:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care has been shortlisted for the prestigious National Training Awards.

The awards cover all industries in the UK. The aim is to find forward-thinking organisations that achieve outstanding success by investing in staff training.

Managing Director of Corinium Care, based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, is delighted to be a finalist in the category for training providers in the South West regional heats.
“We’re proud of our track record on training, so it’s fantastic to have that recognised by such a prestigious organisation,” she said.

NTA judges visited Corinium Care’s offices in George Street to examine training plans and evaluation reports, and speak to staff. The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in Bristol on October 15.

Corinium Care provides live-in care for the elderly and infirm, and young adults with physical disability. Set up in 1995, it has 12 staff in Nailsworth, 700 registered carers on its books, and offices in Zimbabwe, South Africa and New Zealand.

"high percentage of care agencies don’t offer training. But we consider it vital,” said Camilla Miles.

“We take carers on because they have the right personality and life skills. We then do our utmost to furnish them with the knowledge and skills they need before they’re placed with a client.

“The personal touch is everything at Corinium Care. If our carers are well equipped, both mentally and physically, that can only be better for our clients.”
Both staff and carers at Corinium Care undergo extensive and continual training and assessment.

The company recruits up to 16 new carers each month who attend a five-day training course before being placed with clients, to look after them in their own home.

Training includes everything from first aid and personal care to a session on dementia.

“We take pride in doing what we can to raise standards in the industry,” said Camilla.
Some carers come from Zimbabwe, South Africa and New Zealand and welcome the training they receive on arrival at Corinium Care as a chance to acclimatise to British culture.
One of the live-in carers who attended a dementia training course before starting a six-month placement with Corinium Care was Gill Peinke from South Africa.

“This training is absolutely fantastic – it’s one of the reasons I chose to work for Corinium Care rather than any other live-in care agency,” she said.

“It gives me confidence to do my job here. And when I go back home, I feel I’ll be more able to cope with my mother-in-law who has dementia.”

The National Training Awards are run by UK Skills on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

Corinium Care runs its biggest training course

2010-03-11T07:01:00.003-08:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care, based in Gloucestershire, has just held the largest training course in its 15-year history.

There were 22 new live-in carers on the course, provided free at the company’s offices in George Street, Nailsworth.

They received five days of intensive training, when topics included nutrition, moving and handling, first aid and dementia.

Corinium Care, which specialises in providing 24-hour live-in care for the elderly and infirm, prides itself on the quality of its training and won a National Training Award last year.

Managing Director Camilla Miles said: “Our training is one of the elements which sets us apart. Our aim is to match our carers as closely as possible to the needs of our clients. By spending a week with new trainees, not only do we get to know them a little better, but they also feel better equipped to do the job.

“The personal touch is at the heart of everything we do at Corinium Care. If our carers are well prepared, both mentally and physically, that can only be better for our clients.”

The 22 trainees came from New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as the UK. They were provided with free accommodation in local guest houses whilst training.

Amanda Shield, 56, joined the company from a job in Lincolnshire. “Training at Corinium Care is much better than at other agencies,” she said. “It’s a whole week that covers everything we need – that’s twice as much training as I’ve had before. And it’s to a very high standard.

“The best part is the attention to detail. We also get a chance to know the organisation we’re working for.”

Noku Hlazo, 28, from London, added: “We get a really nice lunch every day. I’ve been on training courses where all you get is a cup of tea and a biscuit.”

Corinium Care runs regular trainers’ courses for its carers. It also runs annual refresher training for every carer. Last year it launched a new venture: training for relatives whose parents are frail, elderly and suffering from dementia.

The live-in care agency has quadrupled its turnover in five years and the training programmed has expanded with it. Corinium Care now has more than 800 registered carers on its books.
“A high percentage of introductory agencies do not offer training. We perceive it as necessary to raise standards in the industry and take pride in delivering quality,” said Camilla.

Carer Pauline goes trekking for charity

2010-03-11T07:01:00.001-08:00

LIVE-IN carer Pauline Mitchell is all set to swap life in Bath for the Sinai desert.

She’ll have a dual goal when she and her rucksack head for Egypt: finding adventure and raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

“I saw the trip advertised in a slimming magazine,” said Pauline, 62, who works in Bath city centre as a carer for Corinium Care.

“I’m a widow with no ties. I wanted a bit of adventure. And I’ve come across Alzheimer’s quite a bit in my life. So I signed up.”

Pauline’s mother and aunt both suffered from Alzheimer’s. She also deals with the disease in her job as a carer for Corinium Care, based in Gloucestershire.

“It’s a frightening disease which no one really understands,” she said. “Watching my dear mother and aunt trying to cope with it, as well as the elderly lady I have been looking after these past two years, has spurred me on to extend myself in the hope that I may make a difference.”

Her trip begins on November 21, and takes her through the desert with 45 other fundraisers to the Red Sea. They’ll walk 70km in five days and sleep in Bedouin tents.

The Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, is sponsoring Pauline. “She’s got an arduous challenge ahead and we’re very pleased to be supporting her. Anything that helps with the incredibly important work that the Alzheimer’s Society does is always to be encouraged,” she said.

Anyone who wants to add to Pauline’s fundraising total can do so via her website www.justgiving.com/paulinemitchell1/
Pauline originally comes from Zimbabwe. She has two children in Australia and one in South Africa. “They’re very excited, and they’re all helped me to reach my fundraising target of £1,220,” she said.

Training launched for relatives with elderly parents

2010-03-11T07:00:00.001-08:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care, based in Nailsworth, has launched a new training programme for people with elderly relatives.

The aim is to give them the confidence to deal with ageing parents who succumb to physical frailty, forgetfulness, and the early signs of dementia.

The initiative comes in response to the rapid rise in the elderly population and the growth of dementia, and demand from Corinium Care’s clients and their relatives.

Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, said: “Our client surveys indicate loud and clear that there’s a huge need out there from people who don’t know what to do when their elderly relatives become frail and vulnerable and start to suffer from dementia.

“They find it difficult to spend time with their parents because they’re uncertain what to do for the best. They’re not carers, but have reached a stage in their life when their parents are increasingly reliant on them for emotional and practical support.”

The first one-day course takes place on October 8 at Corinium Care’s offices in George Street, Nailsworth.

It includes a two-hour session on dementia, guidance on how to communicate with someone with dementia, and training in first aid and moving and handling.

“We’ll be teaching people how to cope with the uncertainties that the increasing frailty of their parents brings. Looking after an elderly relative can be a huge worry. Training can help allay those fears and give the rest of the family confidence,” said Camilla.

She decided to launch the training sessions after repeated requests from families who approach Corinium Care for 24-hour live-in care for their relatives, but still want to provide some care themselves.

“A lot of clients say they’d love to take their elderly mother shopping, but getting her in and out of the car is a problem. Others want to know how to help with dementia. Some want to have their parents to stay for Christmas but don’t know how to help them have a bath.”

She added that, despite the demand, there is little training on offer.

“There are lots of courses out there in the Cotswolds, from flower-arranging to cake decorating. But where are the courses that teach you how to spend quality time with your aged parents?”

Corinium Care provides live-in care for the elderly and infirm, and young adults with physical disabilities. Set up in 1995, it has 12 staff in Nailsworth, more than 750 fully-trained carers registered on its books, and clients all over the UK.

The training it provides for its 12 staff and 750 registered carers has earned the company a place in the finals of the 2009 National Training Awards, run by UK Skills for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

“We take pride in doing what we can to raise standards in the industry,” said Camilla.

According to government statistics, the number of people with dementia in the UK is forecast to increase by 38 per cent in the next 15 years. The number of people over 60 could rise by 40 per cent in the next 30 years.
For more info: http://www.coriniumcare.com/

Dementia training for live in carers

2010-03-11T06:59:00.003-08:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care has responded to the growth of dementia by introducing training for its carers.

The agency, based in Nailsworth, has more than 700 registered carers on its books who look after frail and elderly people in their own homes. An increasing number, about 30 per cent, suffer from varying degrees of dementia.

Managing Director of Corinium Care, Camilla Miles, said helping carers to communicate with their clients is vital for the wellbeing of both parties.

“People with dementia can often feel frightened, confused, threatened, and incapable,” she said. “If carers haven’t come across that before, they need help to deal with it. There isn’t enough training out there – not even for doctors and nurses - so we decided to provide it ourselves. We feel passionately about it.”

The session took place at Corinium Care’s offices in George Street, for 16 new live-in carers. They were given examples of what to expect from someone with dementia and offered solutions as to how to deal with it.

“We can’t expect a client with dementia to adapt to us – we have to adapt to them and communicate in a way which puts them at ease,” said Camilla.

“There are many ways of doing that – building up the client’s self-esteem, expressing ideas in a positive way, avoiding the word ‘don’t’, not asking questions they can’t answer.”

She added that one of the most difficult aspects of dementia to grasp is the loss of logic and reason. “What should a carer do if the client puts toothpaste on her toothbrush, then brushes her hair with it?” she asked.

“Everything takes time too. But it’s important that our clients are allowed to do things for themselves and feel at the end of it that they’ve achieved something.”

She pointed out that a lot of the unusual habits which people with dementia adopt, like wearing odd clothes, or drinking their tea out of a saucer, are a reflection of our own perception of received behaviour.

“If we try to teach them to act differently, we are expecting them to adapt, which is unlikely to happen. What we have to ask ourselves is: does it matter? Is the client putting herself at risk?”

One of the live-in carers on the training course was Gill Peinke from South Africa, who was about to start a six-month placement with Corinium.

“This training is absolutely fantastic – I think everybody should go through it because you never know what life’s going to throw at you,” she said.

“My mother-in-law has dementia and sometimes during the training session, I wanted to leave the room and sob. My mother is 87 and is slightly forgetful. Who knows if she’s going to deteriorate? When I go back home, I feel I’ll be more able to cope.”
Camilla, who set up Corinium Care in 1995, said: “We have the opportunity to provide one-to-one care in a dignified and safe environment and to allay fears in what can be a very uncertain future for the client and their families.”

Celebrating three years in Nailsworth

2010-03-11T06:59:00.001-08:00

CORINIUM Care live-in care agency celebrates three years in Nailsworth on July 10 with a lunch party for staff.

The company, one of the biggest live-in care agencies in the UK, was set up in 1995 by Managing Director Camilla Miles from her kitchen in Bisley.

Corinium Care now has 12 staff at its head office in Nailsworth, more than 700 registered carers, and offices in Zimbabwe, South Africa and New Zealand. Its carers look after frail and elderly people in their own homes all over the South West, as well as severely disabled young adults.

The company was formed after Camilla moved from Wales to Gloucestershire and started running a nanny agency when her two children were small.

“Clients started to ask whether we could care for their ageing parents, as well as for their children. It was clear that live-in care would quickly become the better business proposition, so I sold the nanny business,” said Camilla.

Corinium Care moved to premises in Minchinhampton in 2003, and quickly outgrew them. Taking on the offices in George Street, Nailsworth in 2006 was a major step forward.

“The business went from strength to strength and we had to expand. It was definitely the right decision. Our client base has quadrupled in the last five years and shows no signs of slowing,” said Camilla.

The office, formerly an antiques shop, was refurbished for Corinium Care’s use.

Camilla puts the company’s success down to three main factors: “Our staff, our high standards, and the fact that the personal touch is at the core of everything we do. We’re in a very competitive market, and we have to be the best if we want to remain a leader in the field of care,” she said.

The most important change in the last three years, she added, is the growing awareness of live-in care as an alternative to nursing homes.
“Going into a nursing home is a very difficult decision for both the person concerned and their family. Live-in care allows them to stay in their own home for as long as possible and makes a huge difference to their quality of life and state of mind,” said Camilla.

Corinium Care spreads its wings in South Africa

2010-03-11T06:58:00.003-08:00

LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care has sent a senior manager from Gloucestershire to South Africa, as it spreads its recruitment net worldwide.

Director of Operations Amanda Butler will run seminars for ten days in Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Capetown.

The aim is to promote live-in care as a career, and to find potential recruits who wish to work in the UK for several months at a time.

The agency, based in George St, Nailsworth, is one of the leading live-in care companies in the UK with 12 staff and more than 700 registered carers on its books. Set up by Managing Director Camilla Miles in 1995, it provides 24-hour live-in care for frail and elderly people in their own home.

The company began to expand abroad in 2005. It now has offices in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Earlier this year it opened a new operation in New Zealand.

“Business has quadrupled in the last five years, and our operations in South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand are vitally important to us,” said Camilla.

“We recruit a lot of staff from the UK, but we still need to look further afield. The nature of the work suits many women who come from a caring background, and want a concentrated period of employment in Europe.

“For some people from South Africa and Zimbabwe we provide a safe haven from political upheaval and a source of foreign currency which gives them a degree of security when they go back home.”

Amanda Butler joined Corinium in 2000, after 10 years in the newspaper business. She met Camilla when they were neighbours in Bisley and started walking their dogs together.

“If Camilla had told me when she took me on that I’d be running seminars in South Africa, I wouldn’t have believed it. But the company has really taken off,” said Amanda.

This is her third trip to South Africa. “We’re always very well received. We advertise our seminars in advance, tell our audience what being a live-in carer is all about, and promote the benefits of Corinium Care,” she said.

“Those who apply to join us go through a rigorous interview procedure. And when they get to the UK, we provide an intensive five-day training course before they are considered for a placement with a client. Our training is considered the best in the industry.

“Each trip to South Africa brings its own challenges. My first visit was quite daunting, but now I love it.”
http://www.coriniumcare.com/

Staff take part in Race for Life

2010-03-11T06:58:00.001-08:00

Five ladies from Corinium Care are tying up their trainers and limbering up to run the Cotswold Race for Life on Sunday May 17.

Directors Amanda Butler and Clare Armstrong will be striding out with Fiona Bird, Victoria Taylor and Suzanne Hathaway at Kemble Airfield.

The women-only race is in its 16th year and it is the third consecutive year that the Corinium team have taken to the field.

“We’ve all got different personal reasons for wanting to support Cancer Research UK. None of us are athletes, but the great thing about Race for Life is that we can walk if we get puffed out,” said Operations Director Amanda Butler.

“There’s an incredible atmosphere as well. It’s a very emotional day for many of the participants.”

Corinium Care, based in Nailsworth, provides 24-hour live-in care for the elderly and infirm and also has first-hand experience of helping those who have been diagnosed with cancer to remain comfortably cared for at home whilst undergoing treatment.

There are 230 different Race for Life events across the UK this year and the target is for 680,000 women to take part.
The staff at Corinium raised more than £800 in 2008. If you would like to sponsor them visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/coriniumcare or visit their website http://www.coriniumcare.com/

Recruitment drive in New Zealand

2010-03-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

Gloucestershire-based care agency, Corinium Care, is organising a recruitment drive in New Zealand, seeking live-in carers for its elderly and disabled clients in the UK.

Managing Director Camilla Miles has struggled to find enough suitable carers in the UK, despite the economic downturn and rising unemployment figures.

The company, based in Nailsworth, has ten staff and more than 700 registered carers from Britain and abroad. It has recruitment offices in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The trip to New Zealand is a first.

“Our business has quadrupled in the past ten years and our search for carers has been relentless,” said Camilla, who founded Corinium Care in 1995.

“Since the credit crunch and the economic downturn in this country, we have had more applications from the UK, mostly from people who have been made redundant. But the demands for our services outstrip the supply of people who come forward.”

The agency, one of the biggest in the UK, provides 24-hour care for elderly and disabled people in their own homes. Almost 40 per cent of their clients have a degree of dementia, and their families opt for one-to-one care at home, rather than a nursing home.

“The reason for the growth of Corinium Care is linked to the growth of the elderly population in the UK. At the same time, more people are becoming aware of the choices of care available, and more are choosing to remain in their own homes with live-in care,” said Camilla.

“Another factor affecting our business is that families are choosing to keep their elderly relatives at home because it’s not a good time to sell property.”

Live-in carers earn about £70 per day.

They undergo training with Corinium Care in personal care, communicating with people with dementia, recognising signs of abuse, and moving and handling.

“Training covers all aspects of being a carer but most importantly the emphasis is on the understanding of what it’s like to be cared for,” said Camilla.

Many of Corinium’s carers are from Zimbabwe and South Africa. They spend three to six months in the UK, then three to six months in their own country before they return to Britain.

Camilla will be spending time in North and South Island in New Zealand with Corinium Director Peter Beloe. They leave on Monday January 26.

“We hope New Zealand will open up new avenues for us,” said Camilla.
“It’s a real chance to promote the benefits of live-in care to a new audience, and to offer opportunities to people who might not necessarily know about the possibilities of a career in care work.”