Helping hand from the senior service

STARTING a care business can reap more than just financial rewards.

George Demetriou, 72, who is a franchisee with Seniors Caring for Seniors in Harrow, London, was attracted by the idea of helping people while running a business.

‘This franchise resonated with me,’ he says. ‘They were looking for kindhearted entrepreneurs, so this combines my business skills with my experience caring for my elderly in-laws.

‘It’s a fulfilling business — people are living longer so there is a demand for care, and a franchise is an easier way to get started than setting up on your own.’

Christian Wilse, UK franchisor of Seniors Caring for Seniors, which matches care workers to its clients, says she seeks franchisees with life experience: ‘You need not be over 50, but your heart must be in the right place.’ The investment is £10,000.

Janis Anderson, the Caremark franchisee in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, says: ‘Domiciliary Caring experience: George Demetriou care appealed to my heart and my head and I was attracted to Caremark’s caring culture.’

Janis’s business now provides more than 3,000 hours of care weekly and employs over 100 care workers.

Janis, 58, adds: ‘I focus on building a business that isn’t simply measured by cash-flow, but quality of care.’

David Glover, Caremark’s franchise recruitment manager, says: ‘We look for ambitious professionals who want to build a business that meets a genuine social need.’ The franchise costs £29,750.

SENIORS Helping Seniors, 01227 454900. Caremark, 01903 266392;