New care firm aims for the personal touch

Precious Passionate Care, based at Shaw Lodge House in Halifax, is run by managing director May Downes, who lives in Barkisland, and office manager Betty Hill, from Rastrick.

The company had it’s grand opening on Monday, which was attended by the deputy Mayor of Calderdale, Coun Geraldine Carter.

They have recruited seven people from the Calderdale area so far, and expect to create more new jobs in the near future.

They provide companionship visits, home help and respite care.

May said: “I’ve been in the care sector for 30 years. I’ve worked my way up from being a care assistant to a line manager, but most of my time has been spent in domiciliary care.

“It’s always been an aim to open my own business one day. I’m very proud and I’m hoping the carers I’m employ can embrace how far they can develop from being a care assistant.

“A lot of them come into the profession very young but there is scope to pass on my knowledge.

“I also want to encourage them to gain qualifications so they can advance their careers.

“They will all receive in-house training which will include my aims and visions for the company.”

May is adamant her company will maintain a personal touch to its services.

She added: “I can lead how to develop high quality care and empower people into their own care. It’s a really lovely feeling.

“It’s taken four months to set it up so it’s been a long, hard process with a lot of hurdles to clear. But because of my experience I knew what was needed so there wasn’t a lot of research required.

“I love being my own boss because I know I will be heavily involved in how we deliver the care we provide.

“It will always have a personal touch to it, such as taking birthday cards out personally to people rather than posting them.”