Helping local small care businesses to support residents with care and support needs
Small growing enterprises and ventures in Oxfordshire are now able to get support from Oxfordshire County Council to provide care and support thanks to a new initiative.
Working with an organisation called Community Catalysts, the scheme helps people and communities to use their talents to start and run small enterprises and community businesses that support and care for other local people.
At present, support is focused on enterprises in the Cherwell district.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Working with Community Catalysts is a wonderful opportunity to help us grow both our small local businesses and enterprises while ensuring that those who need care and support can access a wider range of opportunities to suit their needs and preferences.
“As more people prefer to be supported at home and in the community, this is a great opportunity to enable those who might be interested in providing care and support to get the help they need to get up and running.”
Several organisations have already benefitted from the support of Community Catalysts, a community interest company.
Golden Care
Golden Care was founded by Rebecca (Beki) Mangan, who has over 20 years of experience in the care industry.
Most recently Beki had been running a dog walking business after leaving the care industry. However, she had found she was missing working with people. She found that she had customers with various health needs and wanted to provide that person-centred approach through her work as a dog walker.
Beki was interested in how she could adapt some of her services to include more people in her community, and new customers.
Starting up Golden Care in Banbury, she feels this has enabled her to reconnect with her values and experiences in the care sector.
Enthused to provide person-centred care and support in her local area, she is also on her own development path to become a co-production champion.
Reflecting on her experience, Beki said: “The team was extremely helpful throughout. The amount of resources and network connections they introduced me to has become an amazing tool to build my business within the caring industry. I’m excited to see my business evolve and know that the team will be there to support me.”
The Green Dome Trust
The Green Dome Trust is run by Banbury Madni Masjid. It aims to foster better community relations and community cohesion in Banbury and beyond providing support and services that benefit people from all walks of life. The Green Dome Trust’s community fridge collects food from supermarkets that would have otherwise gone to landfill and ensure it reaches those who need it.
Yasmin Kaduji, from The Green Dome Trust, commented on her experience with the project: “The drive, passion excitement, to get started, hit the ground running, and see progress immediately has been fantastic. It's often difficult to stop speeding ahead and take the process step by step, especially when some of the steps are tedious. But I love the speed and seeing the results instantly. Catalysts approach has been fantastic, and the information shared is valuable.”
How to get support
Those who may be thinking about setting up a small organisation, group, or community enterprise to help residents of Oxfordshire can complete this enquiry form to get support from the local Community Catalyst, Anita Wingad.
There is also a range of other support available for businesses and community enterprises on the Small Good Stuff website.
The Live Well Oxfordshire directory also provides a comprehensive list of support and facilities available to those who require care and support in Oxfordshire.