Caron Oldreive and Cheryl Hawksworth - SureCare Doncaster

Friends Caron Oldreive and Cheryl Hawksworth so liked the idea of setting up a SureCare franchise that they decided to do it together.

Caron says: “We had worked in residential homes – I was a registered manager and Cheryl was in finance – and we both believed that caring for people in their own homes would give them a better quality of life.

“We chose a franchise because it gives support on time-consuming issues such as policy, procedures and legislation, so it left us free to provide care.

“When we started out eight years ago, we were the sole carers, as well as looking after marketing the business. Today we have 60 staff providing care for more than 100 children and older people.

“We’re keen to offer new services and were recently selected to provide a range of children’s care services in Doncaster. We’re now on the preferred provider list for Aiming High for Disabled Children and can offer packages of case to users of the service.

“We’re also on the suppliers’ list to provide adult care services through both the Council and the town’s Clinical Commissioning Group.

“Before you take on a franchise, you need to research the level of care needed in your area and look for suitable companies. Expect to work hard - we did 14-hour days at first – as even with help from the franchisor you must build the business yourself.

“It’s essential to want to make a difference within care, but you’ve also got to be entrepreneurial, forward-thinking and business-minded.”