We are thrilled to announce that Empathia has received the Community Care Commitment to Excellence Award.
Incorporated in November 2023, Empathia is based solely within the Worcestershire area. This was a specific decision taken by the Managing Director Rachael Gurney, who wanted to create a person specific domiciliary care service that was different from the competition.
“In my time as a nurse” Rachael states, “I had witnessed issues such as different support workers being assigned with no notification being given to the client or discussions made regarding the client, whilst being in the client’s home. I wanted to take a different approach. Empathia is based on a holistic and personal attitude where every client sees the same support worker and every worker is introduced by me as a guarantee.”
With 20 years of NHS experience, 10 of which at nursing level, Rachael brings a fresh approach to care, offering significant advantages:
“I currently have five support workers” Rachael says, “I chose them because they have many years of experience between them, and they are all local. I introduce each of my support workers personally and the rapport that can be seen when the client hears a local accent cannot be underrated. They want to feel the familiar, especially if they are inviting this person into their home on a regular basis.”
This is shown in the services that Empathia provides, from personal care, medication, and social support, to befriending and companionship, hospital appointments, meal support, and even emergency call out visits. All these aspects for personal care require a level of trust to make the client feel safe and secure.
“It’s the little things like making a cup of tea for someone without having to ask how they like it,” says Rachael, “It may seem a minor point, but it is the personal touch that makes the difference.”
When asked about expansion and the potential loss of that level of intimacy, Rachael was quite pragmatic. “We currently have five clients with five support workers. I see potential for a maximum of 15 clients, otherwise we run the risk of not spending enough time with each.”
It is this level of understanding that epitomises Rachael and Empathia, and creates this new model of local support for local people.
For more information, see below.
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