A service which provides people with care in their homes is to launch in Bolton.

Walfinch Home Care Service is being brought to to the borough by new franchisee Monique Gadd.

Walfinch Bolton and Bury is designed to offer an alternative to care homes, with statistics showing that nine out of ten people saying if they need care they would prefer to receive it in their own home.

Monique said: “I know that self-employment in some sectors can be isolating, so I chose Walfinch because I could see it would mean becoming a valued part of our local community.

“I’ve been out meeting local hospital discharge teams, physios, private doctors, people from local clinical commissioning groups, dentists, opticians, solicitors and even hairdressers to spread the word about the services that Walfinch Bolton & Bury can provide. I want to be on everyone’s preferred supplier lists.”

She added: “I want to provide hands-on help to people, and when I met Walfinch Chief Executive Amrit Dhaliwal, he radiated values that chime with mine – he wants Walfinch to deliver genuine people-centred care.”

Although Monique says she has had no previous professional experience of care, it has always been part of her life.

She said: “I first experienced the importance of care as the mother of twins born very prematurely, at 26 weeks gestation.

“More recently I went to visit my mum in Cape Town and discovered that although she lives in a retirement complex, she had been neglecting her social life.

“Within ten days of my being there, I had persuaded her to go to the club house daily to play cards, eat lunch and meet other people. I’m delighted she has kept it up now I’m back here.

“It brings music to my heart and reminds me how rewarding caring can be.”

She added that people close to her have said she has a special talent for building up relationships with people with special needs and the elderly.

Monique praised the Walfinch franchise team for their help attaining CQC registration, setting up her office, recruiting her registered manager and care team and launching the business.

“Now I have found out what I really want to do in business,” says Monique. “I am confident that with the strong Walfinch team supporting us, I can achieve my aim of helping and supporting people as part of our community.”