Posted:24-October-2024
Walfinch Harrow & Brent's MD Named as Social Care Awards Executive Home Care Leader of the Year
Shilpi Verma, franchisee managing director and registered manager of Walfinch home care Harrow and Brent, has been named as the Executive Home Care Leader (Franchise) award winner at The Social Care Leadership Awards 2024.
Freya Massingham, Care Manager, Walfilnch Harrow and Brent was also named as a finalist for the Young Leader in Social Care Award.
Shilpi Verma leads a team of 55 carers who look after 28 clients, supporting them with their care needs so they can continue to live in the comfort of their own homes. However, Shilpi and her team’s approach which goes above and beyond physical care needs have now led to six award nominations this year alone, including a Great British Franchisee award win, a further award win for palliative care and now recognition through the prestigious Social Care Leadership Awards.
Shilpi Verma explains: “Our philosophy of care extends to the local community and team members too. We look after our team as we know that happy carers mean happy clients. For example, our carer satisfaction survey revealed that staff would like to meet more regularly to feel less isolated. We created Carer Connect which is a monthly staff social drop-in meeting. Carers bring food to share and we provide pizza and cakes. It’s an informal way to catch up, have valuable conversations and check in on how everyone is doing. we also conduct monthly wellbeing reviews with each carer, provide an employee assistance programme, and access to mental health support if necessary.”
Benefits for carers don’t end there. Shilpi also liaises with local businesses to support carers wellbeing: “We have arranged discounts at a local gym for our carers, opened Bank accounts for international carers, ensured our carers can access financial reviews and mortgage advice to become more financially aware, and arranged access to Financial Fraud awareness courses. This has been really well received by carers.”
In Walfinch Harrow and Brent’s recent staff engagement survey 100% of our carers either agreed, or strongly agreed (84.1%) they enjoyed their work and 100% were proud of the work they do.
One carers said: “I like my job, my work is the best ever….. it’s not only job it’s help to everyone spreading love and kindness to everyone.”
Shilpi’s approach to supporting clients includes initiatives such as working with a local dentist for an oral health initiative to arrange free dental examinations for clients. Shilpi continues: “We’ve also teamed up with local yoga instructor to deliver free online chair yoga sessions for clients and carers.
One family member said: “Mum really looks forward to this every week.” Next of kin and pregnant carers got involved too! One 58 year old client, looked after by her 80 year old mother commented: “It's made it easier for Mum who is my full time carer although she can't help joining in sometimes.”
Care clients appreciate Walfinch Harrow and Brent’s approach to care. Initial results from the client survey showed: 100% of clients felt satisfied and comfortable after care visits.
At Walfinch Harrow and Brent, community engagement is also important. Shilpi’s former career was in finance. She says: “I have used connections to introduce a bank to St Lukes Hospice for long term sponsorship.
“We also pay for our carers to volunteer at Milmans Day Centre to help those with Dementia and their loved ones. Activities arranged include balloons and bowling and dancing making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with dementia and their carers.”
Shilpi concludes: “My team’s and my own passion for care and helping others has led to creating a successful business and I am delighted to have been given this prestigious award which underlines the commitment of everyone at Walfinch Harrow and Brent who work hard every day for the benefit of our clients and the wider community where we all live.”
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