For 54-year-old former North East man, Ray Halton, a diagnosis of MS turned his life upside down.
Although at first the progression of the disease was slow, over the last eight years Ray has found the every day actions that most people don’t even think about, were becoming increasingly more challenging.
His wife had her own health problems so couldn’t help with the physical support Ray needed and accessing the adult social care system seemed the only solution – but Ray’s initial attempts were “causing me increasingly more stress.”
“It was such a slow process and it just seemed impossible to get any results,” said Ray, who now lives in Lincoln.
Salvation came in the form of a new home care service based in Newcastle, but which in a short space of time has clients around the country – and is going from strength to strength.
Happiest at Home was set up in the midst of the pandemic, recognising a gap in the market for people who needed good quality care – in all its forms – but didn’t want to go into a residential facility.
This was certainly the case for Ray who, after speaking to the company, was linked with his CarePal, an experienced care provider who now supports him five days a week.
At heart of the company’s business model is finding their client’s a carer who is a good fit and it is only when everyone is happy that the relationship moves on to the next level.
For Ray the arrival of his CarePal, Laura, was a godsend.
“Laura comes in for an hour and a half every morning to help me with the little tasks that are quite challenging now like getting out of bed and getting dressed,” he said.
“In the past I could spend an hour and a half attempting to put my socks on. Now with her support I can do so much more which isn’t just good for me but for my wife and son as well.”
Laura also has an additional five hour slot twice a week with Ray, helping him enjoy his hobbies and leisure activities – which in turn is giving him a better quality of life.
“Before I was diagnosed I was really independent,” said Ray.
“And sometimes when you’ve been like that, it’s hard to ask for help but I’m so glad I did.
“Having the support I get through Happiest at Home has made a huge, positive different to all of our lives.”
For director Sam Hackett, hearing Ray’s comments highlights that the company has absolutely come up with the right formula.
“We wanted to offer a solution which would allow people not only to stay in their homes but also gave them a say in who was helping to look after them,” said Sam.
“It’s very important that the CarePal and the client are a good fit, for everyone concerned.
“What we also give is continuity, rather than the client not knowing who is going to turn up to help them on any particular day. They form a really strong relationship and that’s good for everyone.”
It’s not just the clients who benefit from Happiest at Home however.
Finding the right staff and giving them a decent level of pay – which is amongst the highest levels in the country – is attracting experienced care givers, including qualified nurses, from across the UK.
It’s a formula that clearly works as from the company’s offices at Dobson House, Gosforth they are supplying carers across the whole of the UK and Northern Ireland too.
That in turn has seen Happiest at Home grow at an incredible rate, turning over more than £1m in its first year.
“We launched in November 2021 and have grown much faster than we anticipated,” said Sam.
“We knew what the challenges were that needed to be addressed to create a service that worked for both care staff and for clients and we are delighted at how well it has been received.”
Happiest at Home offers support for everyone from elderly care to those with learning difficulties, needing help with their children or who have physical disabilities.