Caremark Redcar and Cleveland family and work mix

Caremark Redcar and Cleveland, the largest home care provider in the area, employs 370 staff members, and 15 per cent – around 52 people – are related, including couples, siblings, and parents and children.

The company delivers support to more than 650 people in their own homes in the Redcar and Cleveland area, and several staff members have relatives who also receive care from the service.

Sophie Smith, whose husband Andrew and mother Susan also work as care assistants at Caremark, was inspired to join the company after seeing the care her father received during his illness.

Mrs Smith said: “My dad had a brain tumour and Caremark Redcar and Cleveland supported him and my mum.

“Seeing how good they were with him inspired me to go into and it was the best decision I have made because I love my job.

“Mum and Andrew could see how much I was enjoying being a carer so they didn’t take much persuading to join and it’s great to be part of such a family-friendly company.”

Andrew, who previously worked as a manager at McDonald’s, made the switch a few months after Sophie.

He said: “I was looking for change of direction and even though I do more hours now, I actually seem my family more because of the way the shift patterns work and I wouldn’t change what I do now for the world.

“Even when we both off Sophie and I still talk about work because we are wondering what our customers are doing and if they are ok – they effectively become part of the family.”

Susan, who had been caring for her daughter Emma, who has Down’s Syndrome, also joined the team as Emma grew more independent.

She said: “It was never-wracking when I first started because it was something completely different but it’s the perfect job for me because I like putting smiles on people’s faces and it’s nice to be able to share my experiences with Sophie and Andrew.”

Now, Emma is also one of Caremark’s customers.

Susan said: “Emma gets social-based support and is thriving.
“It helps that I already know the girls who support her and trust them completely with her.”

Danielle Laverick, care manager at Caremark Redcar and Cleveland, said: “We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly employer and this is reflected by the fact we have so many people working for us who are related.”