Interview with Radfield Hom ecare
We recently had the opportunity to chat to a really interesting person in Worcestershire called Dawn Phillips who runs a home care called Radfield Homecare, they specialise in Dementia care! We wanted to know more about what they do and how they support people. Have a read below of the exclusive interview we did with them today.
Tell me about your business?
We are a Home Care employee, we deliver care and support people who live in their own homes.We can offer a varied service for different care needs and specialise in Dementia care We have won the Top 20 for 2020 awards on Homecare.co.uk a website dedicated specifically for care, we are ranked 3rd in Worcester,Worcestershire and 17th in the whole of the West Midlands. I am an accredited real living wage employer, and also an accredited member of an elite group and the only care provider in the group that stands side by side with large organisations such as Bosch based in worcester ‘Worcestershire Works Well’ that support and encourage our staff with better health and wellbeing in the workplace, we have our own inhouse health and well-being champion (me)
How did you start your business?
I originally started as an employee of Radfield Home Care, I set up their second branch here in Worcester 2010 after 5 years, I was asked to join the head office team as the Regional Compliance manager and helped support the other branches, as well as supporting and helping growth into the franchise market, shortly after in 2016 I was lucky enough to be offered their first franchise branch. I of course accepted the offer and from then on became a franchise, in 2018 they approached me again to take over the Worcester branch, the original branch that I had set up and ran for 5 years, my territories are now merged and my branch covers all of Worcestershire.
How did you get into this industry?
when I was 15yr old i had multiple part time jobs, mostly at the weekend or after school waitressing in a cafe, babysitting for a few people, and i took on weekend working in a care home, back then it wasn’t as regulated as it is now, I really enjoyed the work, loved being able to help and care for people it was like having lots of grandparents they all were very kind, and i found it really easy to talk to them and found their lives fascinating. The physical care was only one part of the role, but one that instinctively I was good at, the best bit was making the tea and then getting to chat,even then I could talk the hind legs off a donkey.
After I finished my exams and went to college and then on to university where I actually studied Biomedical Science and had a career in this, but throughout my training i still took work as a carer, I had my son early but maintained my studies and still working part time in a care home. It’s a role I always came back to and always enjoyed. Carers are people who simply care, it’s not a job it’s a vocation and a way of life, it’s difficult, challenging, frustrating, worrying, it will test your emotions and often will not give you anything back but it will test all your skills, acquired,learned and life.
What do you enjoy most about being in your business?
Meeting new people, achieving outcomes for my clients, seeing my team thrive.
What top 3 words/phrases describe you best?
Passionate, Protective, ambidextrous
My Mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive;and do so with passion, some compassion and some humour and some style.
I’m the quiet one of the group, the floor is yours.
Be a pineapple – stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside
What is the best USP about your current business?
Dementia specialist and our accreditation’s for the fair and ethical treatment of our staff.
What is your favourite local restaurant and shop?
I live out in the countryside, so i shop alot at farm shops Blooms and Ombersley Butchers
I love flower shops in town & The olive garden
What exciting things are happening in your business?
Just won the Top 20 award this week for homecare.co.uk
were looking at diversifying, to support with other areas of support we can offer to individuales (planning stages)
What motivates you?
Challenges, chocolate, happiness
What demotivates you?
people who moan endlessly but never help themselves (harsh i know)
all the worlds a critic
The lack of government funding in the social care sector
If you’d like to know more about Radfield Homecare then make sure you check out their website or check out their Facebook for the latest posts and news.