It all adds up - Ziggy joins accounts team

A big welcome to Ziggy Edwards who joins Corinium Care as our new Accounts Assistant.
Having worked in HR and finance for seven years, she takes up a new role alongside Corinium’s Director of Finances Rachel Dedman.
Born and brought up in Wales, Ziggy left school at 18 and spent many years working abroad in places as far flung as Australia and as small as Alderney in the Channel Islands.
She gained her Association of Accounting Technicians qualifications in 2007 after studying part-time for three years.

Since then, Ziggy has been a finance assistant for Ceredigion Council in Aberystwyth. Whilst working for the council, she was also a casual support worker for adults with learning difficulties for nearly two years.
Her move to Corinium Care coincides with a move to Stonehouse with her partner.
“It’s great here – both busy and relaxed at the same time and I’m dealing with people as well as with numbers,” she said. “It’s quite different from working for a local authority.”
Managing Director Clare Janik welcomed Ziggy to Corinium Care’s head office in Nailsworth.
"She takes on a new role at Corinium and hit the ground running. Her knowledge of payroll, finance and HR is an invaluable addition to our skills base at a time when the pace of change in our industry is breathtaking,” she said.

Becoming a carer was a rewarding journey for traveller Maureen

When Maureen Moffatt signed up for a cycling trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, she faced a dilemma: how to raise £3,500 for her chosen charity? Her solution was to spend three months as a live-in carer with Corinium Care. Here is her story.
“I had a dilemma: how was I going to raise enough money to donate to my chosen charity to enable me to join other fundraisers for a cycle ride in Cambodia and Vietnam?

Maureen Moffatt became a carer with Corinium Care

“I’d managed to raise enough for a trek to Machu Picchu in Peru two years earlier with a host of fundraising activities, but there’s only so much one can ask of friends.
“So how about going back to work? It might be a bit of a culture shock at the age of 65 and after 10 years in retirement, but I was up for the challenge.
“My previous work experience included auxiliary nursing, counselling and social work, so maybe becoming a live-in carer was the answer.
“It turned out to be a challenge, an eye-opener and a totally fascinating journey.
“Before getting started, it became evident that whichever care agency I chose to join would require a week’s compulsory training. How lucky I was to discover Corinium Care – the best company I have ever been involved with.
“Having delivered lots of training in my professional life, I feared the care training would be a rehash of previous sessions, a daily grind of stuff I already knew. How wrong I was.
“There were some lovely surprises during that first week at Corinium Care’s head office in Gloucestershire. The training was varied and relevant, delivered by a team of enthusiastic young women who were obviously very proud of their career choice and of the organisation.
“The other attendees were all women of mixed ages and backgrounds. Every day was packed with learning new information and interesting conversation.
“As the training course drew to an end, I received my first post: two of us travelled to a family who were determined that their mother would leave hospital to end her life in her own home.
“We arrived in time to see her brought home by the ambulance. She and her children were so pleased to see her in familiar surroundings: there were tears of joy and relief.
“Neighbours and family were present almost every moment. Flowers were personally delivered to the door, memories exchanged and more tears shed, all in the most emotionally healthy manner.
“It was a privilege to share these most intimate moments and a pleasure to help make the end of a worthwhile life a natural and gentle transition.
“My next two posts were with clients suffering with Alzheimer's. Two weeks in each post were enough to help me start to integrate into the person’s life, understand their issues and work alongside them to make the most of the days we had together.
“I learnt so much during this period. It was a privilege to be allowed to share such an intimate part of these families’ lives.
“In each post I was treated as a family member, so much so that it felt almost disloyal to say goodbye.
“I shall look back on my experience as a live-in carer as a totally worthwhile challenge in every sense.
“And, by the way, I raised enough money to go to Cambodia and Vietnam.”

'Ben there, Nevis again,' say climbers Clare and Rachel

Three cheers for Corinium Care’s intrepid Managing Director and Finance Director who survived a heroic attempt to conquer Ben Nevis by moonlight.
FD Rachel made it to the top. MD Clare almost did. And together they raised more than £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Rachel and Clare with their medals

It was dark, wet and cold when the daring duo set off on their 1,344 metre climb at 10.30pm. Conditions on the Scottish mountain were so tough that only 100 of the 170 charity walkers made it to the summit and back.
One of them was our Rachel who finished in 10.5 gruelling hours. Clare managed a heroic 4 hours on the upward slopes before exhaustion got the better of her and race marshals ordered her to turn around.
Neither Clare nor Rachel are lightweights: both do regular fitness training and Rachel has just completed her second triathlon. But the UK’s highest peak, with just a headtorch and a couple of walking poles, was a tough challenge.
“It was very dark, wet and slippery and incredibly cold at the top. The wind was howling. We were walking through snow and couldn’t see where we were going,” said Rachel. “The terrain was very rocky and much of the time we had to walk sideways.

Ben Nevis: the UK's highest peak

“When dawn broke, I must admit that I was feeling pretty miserable. Two people were airlifted off the mountain. So I’m proud to have done it but, boy, it was tough!
“It was only when we both got to Glasgow railway station and found the cocktail bar that we began to feel human again.”
Clare was disappointed she didn’t reach the summit. “I’m not a quitter, but I just couldn’t give any more than I did,” she said. “I will go back one day – me and Ben have unfinished business.
“We’d like to thank everyone for supporting us. We did our very best, and Rachel’s achievement was astonishing.”
Anyone who wants to sponsor Clare and Rachel can still do so at www.justgiving.com/CoriniumCareLtd

 

Corinium scoops award for customer service

Corinium Care is delighted to announce that the company has won an award for excellence in customer care.

The Stroud Life Business Awards took place at a glittering ceremony, attended by more than 100 finalists and their guests, at The Old Lodge in Minchinhampton.

A huge cheer arose from the Corinium Care table when the winners of the Customer Care and Service category were announced.

Cheers: the Corinium Care team at the awards dinner

“It was a great night,” said Finance Director Rachel Dedman. “We pride ourselves on our customer care – it’s such an essential element of our business, so it’s really rewarding to receive this kind of recognition. We were thrilled when they read out our name.”

MD of Corinium Care, Clare Janik, congratulated her team. “This award is for all our staff and carers who work so hard to make Corinium such a great company – they really do go the extra mile. They prove that ‘caring’ and ‘business’ can go together. It's been the cornerstone of our success since the company was formed in 1995.”

Judges said they were looking for evidence of a commitment to continuously improving standards of customer service, a clear, well-implemented customer care policy and examples of services exceeding customer expectations. They also wished to hear how customer care initiatives contribute to the overall success of the business.

Corinium Care also won the Customer Care and Service Award in the Stroud Life Business Awards in 2012.

Corinium is a finalist for customer care award

Corinium Care is delighted to be a finalist in awards that highlight excellence in customer care.

The company is shortlisted in the Customer Care and Service category in the Stroud Life Business Awards 2014, set up to celebrate business excellence.

MD of Corinium Care, Clare Janik, said: “It’s fantastic to receive this kind of recognition. First-class customer care and service is at the heart of everything Corinium Care does. We believe passionately in doing the very best for our clients, and all our staff and registered carers live and breathe that philosophy.

“We like to think we provide proof that ‘caring’ and ‘business’ can and do go together. That concept has been the cornerstone of Corinium Care’s success since the company was formed in 1995.”

The winners of the 12 categories in the Stroud Life Awards will be announced at a dinner at the Old Lodge in Minchinhampton on July 16.

Clare and Rachel head for Ben Nevis

Two leading ladies at Corinium Care are lacing up their boots and preparing to climb Ben Nevis by moonlight.

Preparing for Ben Nevis: Rachel, left, and Clare

Managing Director Clare Janik and Finance Director Rachel Dedman will swap lipstick for lace-ups and a head-torch when they trek to the top of the UK’s highest peak to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Neither have climbed a mountain before and hope to raise £500 on August 30.
“With an increasing number of our clients suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia we were keen to help raise awareness of this devastating condition. And we are aware that the Alzheimer’s Society does a very good job,” said Clare.
Both women enjoy keeping fit when they’re not working at the live-in care agency in Nailsworth.
Rachel lost more than three stone when she hit her 50th birthday and has kept fit ever since – as well as preparing for Ben Nevis, she is also training for her second triathlon.
Clare goes running twice a week with a local running club.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the sunrise at the summit and walking down to a good breakfast,” she said.
Anyone who wants to sponsor Clare and Rachel can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/CoriniumCareLtd
 

Birthday lunch is a treat for Miss Acheson

Corinium Care hosted a special lunch for client Miss Mary Acheson to mark her 89th birthday and her fifth year with the live-in care agency.

Over the years, Miss Acheson, who lives in the Cotswolds, has spoken to most of the company’s 17 staff on the phone.

Miss Acheson with MD Clare Janik 

When she expressed a wish to meet them in person, Managing Director Clare Janik was happy to oblige, and arranged a celebratory lunch at Corinium Care’s head office in Nailsworth.

Miss Acheson, who spent most of her career in nursing, thanked the company for their consistently high standards. 

“I could say so many nice things about Corinium Care. You have all looked after me very well. When I ring, everyone is excellent. It’s something I really appreciate,” she said.

“It’s so nice to meet you all. It makes a big difference to put a friendly face to a telephone voice.”

Clare presented Miss Acheson with a card and a gift. “Miss Acheson has a lovely sense of humour and it has been a pleasure to have her as our guest,” she said.

BJ is guest speaker at training day for carers

When Corinium Care offered a new training course about complex care needs for live-in carers, the company asked client BJ Mozley to be guest speaker. 

Billie-Jane (BJ for short) has cerebral palsy and has been a Corinium client for 17 years since she opted to live independently in Cheltenham. 

“I wanted to help carers understand what it’s like to need care from the client’s perspective,” said BJ, 39, who uses a wheelchair and has restricted movement in almost every part of her body. 

BJ with Senior Care Manager Suzanne Hathaway and carers

“The best advice I can give is ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. Just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they are stupid.” 

She praised the care provided by Corinium. “I wouldn’t go to anyone else. They understand my needs and my regular carer is fantastic. Corinium is definitely a care agency to be proud of,” she told the team of live-in carers. 

“The most important thing is to safeguard our dignity. When you’re disabled, that can be the first thing to disappear.”

The Complex Care Needs Training Day was free for Corinium’s live-in carers and included sessions on nutrition, stroke awareness, and use of equipment. It took place at the agency’s head office in Nailsworth.

“An increasing number of our clients have more complex care needs such as peg feeding and stoma care. It’s important we give them all the help we can so they know what to expect and feel confident,” said Senior Care Manager Suzanne Hathaway. 

Carer Sheldene Holtzhausen said: “Having BJ along was a brilliant idea - it’s nice to hear what being cared for is like from someone so articulate. I am always nervous when I go to a new client. It’s comforting to hear that the client is usually equally apprehensive.”

New roles for Celia and Sal

Sal Craw has joined Corinium Care as our new Recruitment and Training Assistant.

With a university degree in English and drama and a career spent largely as a librarian, she is a newcomer the care industry. 

Sal Craw

“Corinium is a great place to work. I’m quite blown away by the genuine kindness to people that I witness every day,” said Sal, who lives in Nailsworth.

Her colleague Celia Mackie has moved from the post of Recruitment and Training Co-Ordinator to Bookings and Client Services Co-ordinator.

Celia Mackie

Celia is a former live-in carer with Corinium Care. “Having been a carer myself makes the job that much easier,” said Celia, who has lived in Gloucestershire for 13 years.

“When my two children grew up and left home, I was free to become a live-in carer. A few friends who had worked through Corinium Care couldn’t praise the company enough, so that’s the agency I chose to join.

“It’s friendly and really well run. The staff are very supportive which is so important for carers. Having a reassuring voice at the end of the phone at all times means a lot."

MD of Corinium Care Clare Janik congratulated Sal and Celia on their new roles. “We’re delighted to have them on the team – both are real assets to the company,” she said.

Clients give our service seal of approval

A survey of Corinium Care clients reveals a high rate of satisfaction and improving levels of service.
The survey was carried out at the end of 2013 as part of the company’s continuing aim to provide the highest possible standards of live-in care.
The questions covered a host of topics, from general levels of service to complaints and time off for carers.
Of those who responded, nearly 90 per cent said that Corinium Care took their needs into account well or very well.
A similar number were of the opinion that the standard of service they received had either remained consistently high or improved.
Carers are considered to be generally well-informed on arrival, and clients’ choices of carer are almost always met.
Whilst awareness of the company complaints procedure is high, very few clients said they had had cause to use it.
Managing Director of Corinium Care, Clare Janik, thanked clients for taking the time and trouble to complete the survey.
“In our determination to strive for excellence, it is important that we invite feedback and have the courage to act upon it. It’s clear that those who completed the questionnaires invested a lot of thought into their response. The information received has been taken on board and will be very useful as we plan for the future,” she said.

Corinium takes part in forum on dementia

The Managing Director of Corinium Care joined a forum on dementia hosted by Gloucester MP Richard Graham.

“Dementia is one of the biggest problems we face in the western world today,” said Mr Graham. “Numbers are increasing rapidly and it’s something we are all going to have to deal with.”

He pointed out that the G8 Summit has set a target to find a cure or treatment for dementia by 2025 as the number of people diagnosed reaches 36 million worldwide. In Gloucestershire 8,500 people are diagnosed with dementia.

Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, told the audience at Shire Hall in Gloucester: “It’s very challenging to find a cure by 2025. There may be effective disease-modifying treatments by then, but they won’t come easy, they won’t come cheap and they won’t come tomorrow. There won’t be a wonder pill – we have plenty more work to do, and research has to be carried out across international boundaries.”

 Dementia is high on the Corinium Care agenda. “An increasing number of our clients are living with dementia,” said Corinium MD Clare Janik.

“They can no longer manage alone, but with the right care, understanding and support, we make it possible for them to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

“We see at first hand the beneficial effects of keeping people in their own home, surrounded by familiar things and comforted by the anchor of connections with their past.

“We also provide dementia training for our carers because it’s essential that they tune in, not just to a client’s words, but to their body language and their past experience.”

She added that when someone is struck by dementia, their entire family is left in a state of confusion and distress.

“That’s why we welcome the interest of politicians. If they can help widen awareness of dementia, and promote the sharing of best practice, that has to be a good thing.

“The reality is that, whilst a search for a cure continues, finding the best ways of living with dementia will remain an equal challenge for years to come.”

MD joins national forum to promote option of live-in care

The Managing Director of Corinium Care has joined national calls for greater awareness of live-in care as an option for older people who can no longer manage alone at home.

Clare Janik has teamed up with other live-in care providers and the UK Homecare Association to lobby health professionals and MPs and push the profile of live-in care higher up the national care agenda.

“Live-in care is not only a good and affordable option for thousands of people in the UK, it also forms an essential part of the care landscape,” said Clare.

“It benefits the individual because it means they can maintain their independence and stay in their own home as long as possible.

“It reduces pressure on the NHS because it helps keep thousands of older people out of hospitals, and enables them to go home sooner rather than taking up much-needed beds.

“And finally it boosts the economy because it’s a rapidly growing part of the private sector.”

Award-winning Corinium Care has expanded rapidly since its formation in 1995 and now has 17 staff in Gloucestershire and more than 800 registered carers.

“The problem we face as an industry is that live-in care is hardly mentioned when the issue of the ageing population comes up at Westminster and within the NHS.

“There is a lot of discussion about care homes and the spiralling costs of social care, but the existence of live-in care as an alternative is not significantly recognised.

“It’s up to those of us in the industry who believe passionately about it to stand up and promote it as an affordable option which provides quality care.”

The UKHCA has agreed to lobby MPs and help educate health care professionals, including GPs.

There are more than 10 million people over the age of 65 in the UK, and that number is set to double in the next 30 years, placing extra burdens on the NHS and social services departments which face swingeing spending cuts.

“When we discuss how to face the challenges of an ageing population, we cannot ignore the question of where the money for social care and health care is going to come from,” said Clare.

“In that context, it makes sense for the live-in care sector to lift its head above the parapet and to play a more visible role in the provision jigsaw so that the best care choices can be made.

“We know that, generally, older people want to stay in their own home for as long as possible, surrounded by a lifetime of memories and things they hold dear. Live-in care helps to make that happen.”

Sailor Henry wins Corinium's backing

Sailor Henry Bomby has added Corinium Care to his team of sponsors as he heads for the high seas in a challenging 2014 season.
Corinium Care is delighted to back Henry, who has enjoyed a rollercoaster career since he left school, including sailing single-handed around Britain.

The 22-year-old from Devon was the youngest sailor in his rookie season on the Figaro circuit in 2011, the most competitive single-handed offshore racing circuit in the world.
He also won the Artemis Offshore Academy Scholarship for a fully-funded season on the Figaro circuit.
This year he will be competing for the third time in La Solitaire du Figaro (the world championship of offshore sailing), and wants to continue his progress up the fleet against world class competition (he finished 24th in 2013).
Securing sponsorship is essential, and he thanked Corinium Care for its support. “Getting to the start line each year is never easy,” said Henry. “To have the support of Corinium Care, who join our growing team of Supporters Club members for 2014, is absolutely fantastic and we are very excited about the year ahead.”
Chief Executive of the live-in care agency Camilla Miles is a keen sailor. “Henry’s determination is impressive, so we’re glad to support him,” she said. “He’s got what it takes to go far.”
Henry took to boats with his dad David at the age of four and was out sailing dinghies on his own by the time he was eight. At 17 he put a project together to sail single-handed around the UK and fell in love with offshore racing.
His ultimate ambition is to become the first Briton to win the Vendee Globe, the single-handed non-stop around-the-world race which takes place every four years.