Social Care Awards 2021

GHP / Social Care Awards 2021 17 , Dec20594 As home care goes, it doesn’t get muchmore ‘caring’ that this! We speak to one of the owners of Maidstone Home Care to find out about the agency’s ethos and its passion for making sure that clients always receive the very best! Maidstone Home Care is a small, family-run care agency based in Kent that was set up by a mother and daughter team in 2010. With more than 40 years of experience within the care industry providing home care for the elderly, vulnerable adults and the terminally ill, Maidstone Home Care provides personalised care to residents with dignity and respect, in the comfort of their own home, as if they are one of the family. Lois Laing, Owner and Co- Founder of Maidstone Home Care, tells us more about its humble beginnings. “When we started the agency, there we only a few of us,” she begins. “Lyn and I would go out and do a large number of calls along with Sue and Lucy, who have been with us since the start, and a few others. We had a clear vision of the care that we wanted to deliver. We have never wavered from this vision.” As a small agency, the staff at Maidstone Home Care have worked exceptionally hard to make it what it is today – a successful, leading care agency in the area. Lois believes that this is what sets it aside from competitors and ensures that the team can continue to provide the highest level of care to clients. It success is very much down to the hard work of the carers, as well as their naturally caring and empathetic nature. Always going above and beyond the call of duty when needed. Lois continues to explain that Lyn is truly the heart of the entire operation. “She has the most genuine heart, so much patience and can find the smallest amount of good in the worst situations. We have followed Lyn in the care services provided. Her gentle nature has always been about putting the client first and making sure they have their independence as much as possible. A lot of the work we receive is word of mouth and fully believe that Lyn’s caring ethos is to thank.” Currently, the agency’s focus in these uncertain times is to ensure that all staff and clients are safe. All of the carers are provided with full PPE although Lois is quick to point out that no amount of personal protective equipment can safeguard anyone against loneliness. “We have a number of carers who live alone and have not seen their family for months all to keep their colleagues and our clients, safe. This alone shows us an unprecedented level of dedication from our wonderful, amazing girls - it amazes you at just how selfless our carers are.” One thing that Lois has noticed in the care industry in light of the recent pandemic, is that nothing I set in stone. Not only is the agency continually adapting as Best PWD & Dementia Homecare Agency – Kent the industry naturally evolves, but it is also having to adapt a little more rapidly with Covid-19 putting pressure on. Maidstone Home Care is continually monitoring PPE to ensure it is of the highest standard for carers, as well as updating staff and clients as much as possible when new information is released. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and its aftermath, Lois and the staff at Maidstone Home Care are remaining positive with regards to the future. There are new plans and developments coming into effect for the agency, albeit they are slightly delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, but Lois is still excited nonetheless. “We can’t wait to reveal the new developments,” she enthuses. “But currently, it’s a case of watch this space! In the meantime, Lyn and I would like to thank all of our clients and staff for their continued patience and dedication in response to this pandemic. The way everyone has joined forces, been supportive, made sacrifices time and time again is truly inspiring. They really are the best of the best and we are so exceptionally proud and grateful to them all.” Company: Maidstone Home Care Ltd Contact: Lois Laing Website: www.maidstonehomecare.com