Mum of autistic boy heading care service
MOST mid-market firms in Yorkshire and the North East are prepared for Brexit, according to a survey.
The Brexit Monitor – conducted by YouGov and commissioned by audit, tax and consulting firm RSM – found that 68% of companies with turnover between £30m and £300m in Yorkshire and the North East said they were prepared for the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Some 88% said they had taken measures such as increasing productivity and efficiency (41%), reviewing the status of EU workers (41%) and increasing local recruitment (32%). Over a quarter (26%) said they planned to move some operations outside the UK, while only 9% said they had established or would look to establish subsidiaries or branches in the EU. Half of firms polled thought an EU-exit would have a negative impact on the economy in the next five years against 41% taking a more positive view.
Some 38% saw new overseas markets as a current strategic objective, while 32% were positive about demand in existing markets and 29% see technology as a positive enabler for strategic growth. Key concerns for North East and Yorkshire businesses were exchange rates, wage inflation and political change.
Kevin O’Connor, RSM’s regional managing partner in the North East and Yorkshire, said: “The evident divide highlights that decision makers in the North East and Yorkshire take opposing views on whether the UK will adapt and emerge stronger from an EU-exit.” attitudes to people who are different in some way. I’m trying to challenge that.”
Catherine’s career has involved working with older adults who may require extra day to day support as well as individuals with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory impairment, mental health issues and conditions resulting from brain or spinal injury. Over the years, she has worked with private companies, local authorities and various charities.
Catherine said: “This has been my ambition for a long time. I want to be able to share my knowledge and experience to help others in and around my local community, so for the last few months I have been getting everything up and running and dealing with all the regulatory side of things in order to ensure my services are high quality and bespoke to meet my clients’ needs.
“In order to do this we’re looking for quality care staff. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have had a career in care. They have to have the right attitude, motivation and be genuinely interested in supporting others.”
Catherine anticipates recruiting about 70 staff in the first year of operation to help clients by providing her collection of services.
The Care Collection, which formally launches on September 1, will also run a Camaraderie Club to provide monthly get-togethers and accompany clients on outings such as theatre trips and days out, as well as a Culture club for those interested in the arts and lots of other services.
Catherine said there were few existing services locally that “cater for everybody”. She said: “There’s a missing link – particularly for the younger end of the market.”
She said: “I know first-hand that finding home care for your loved ones is incredibly difficult as both dementia and learning difficulties are conditions I have grown up around.
“Therefore I have channelled my passion, enthusiasm and knowledge into creating a truly unique, clientfocused care service and I am very proud to be opening The Care Collection!”