Richard Maguire joined the home care franchise in order to improve and personalise care services for those in need
Richard Maguire became a Walfinch franchisee after his personal family experiences showed him that the care sector needed to be tailored to each individual’s needs. When his grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Richard came face-to-face with the importance of personalised care.
He explains: “My granddad wasn’t able to receive care which catered to his specific needs. Microwave meals and no help with household chores meant that if he hadn’t had support from his family, his nutrition would have suffered, and companionship and comfort would have been severely lacking. I asked myself, ‘How does someone with no family cope?’”
Richard’s commitment to the care sector was reinforced by the experience of a close family member who has motor neuron disease. He says: “He is fiercely independent, and it showed me first-hand how important it is to provide care which allows people to maintain their independence for as long as possible.”
Richard wanted to put his commitment to personalised care into action, so he left his career in the financial services industry to start his own home care business. Now he is the Walfinch franchisee for Reigate and Horsham. Walfinch is a growing home care franchise which has 26 branches across the country, owned by franchisee managing directors.
“Partnering with Walfinch as owner of the Reigate and Horsham branch means creating a culture in which both clients and carers are valued members of, not just a team or brand, but a community,” Richard continues. “I have huge respect for carers and aim to be an employer of choice in the sector by rewarding people for their caring nature, loyalty and hard work. As a Walfinch franchisee I can build my own business in a rewarding sector while using my experience from multiple industries.”
Richard is joined in the business by his mother, Angela Maguire. She is the company’s care coordinator and has experience in caring due to looking after Richard’s grandfather.
Richard says: “She’s now completing a teaching certificate so she can present train the trainer courses to other Walfinch franchisees, and, through our holding company Maguire Care Limited, to other businesses.
“With the support of the Walfinch franchise I can build a business that benefits the local community and delivers great emotional rewards. Once my first branch is thriving, I’m ambitious to open a second.”