Age UK North Tyneside launches professional new care at home service

Age UK North Tyneside is announcing the launch of EveryDay – the new name of its professional independent care at home company – an enterprise which is committed to helping people keep their independence and stay at home for longer.

(L-R) Alma Caldwell, Group Chief Executive of Age UK North Tyneside and EveryDay, customer Richard Hunter (middle) and Deputy Chief Executive Dawn McNally.

EveryDay will offer its care and support services to anyone over the age of 18, and be expanding its work beyond North Tyneside to the wider Tyneside area.

There is increasing demand for care and support services, but many people are unsure where to start when it comes to making the decision about accessing support. As part of its service, EveryDay has been set up to provide free advice and guidance to anyone who has any questions about what support is available.

Built from a strong foundation in the community for more than 20 years, the new social enterprise, with around 176 current members of staff, has a unique social purpose – to donate money back to charity, to help older people make more of life. It is also set to more than double its workforce, creating around 200 new posts and recruiting care professionals from across Tyneside.

A garden party themed event was held today at EveryDay’s headquarters at Park Road in Whitley Bay, where customers, staff, volunteers, partners and members of the public came together to mark the official launch. To celebrate, the team put on a variety of activities, stalls, refreshments and a special photo booth to commemorate the occasion.

At the launch, EveryDay’s purple and orange colour scheme and branding was unveiled to attendees, whilst judging of a sunflower growing competition which has been running in the build up to launch also took place.

Alma Caldwell, Group Chief Executive at Age UK North Tyneside and EveryDay, said:

Today is a very special day and the start of an exciting future for our new company and the charity. It follows the launch of our 2020 Vision earlier this year and ties in closely with our ambitions for the next five years.

We have spent such a long time planning and building up to the launch, it’s wonderful to see everyone come together at today’s celebratory event.

We look forward to working together with our partners, staff, volunteers, customers and the wider community, to offer the best possible service and open up even greater opportunities to everyone we support.

EveryDay provides support services in the home, including personal care, help around the home, home from hospital support, specialist health care, end of life care and free information and advice.

Kerry Parker, EveryDay’s Head of Care at Home Services, said:

EveryDay is just that – every day; a service that is available around the clock, 365 days a year. We are here for anyone 18 years and over, to help people continue to live independently in their own homes, and we offer all levels of care from that little bit of help with shopping and cleaning for the busy professional to substantial care and support for people living with high levels of physical and mental health needs. We understand that choosing the right type of care is a tough decision for everyone involved and it’s our commitment to be there for the whole family whenever and however they need us. If you’re not sure where to start or what you need, we’re just at the other end of the phone to offer free and confidential advice.

We’ve been building up to our launch day for many months and I’m delighted it’s finally here.

Customers already benefiting from the services provided include 32-year-old Donna Campbell from Wallsend, who will continue with exactly the same support under the EveryDay brand. Donna has spina bifida, which seriously affects her mobility. She spent a substantial amount of time in hospital recently following a major operation related to her condition, but when she came home, found that she was unable to do the things she previously enjoyed. It was through the support of her EveryDay Personal Support Assistant, Claire Atkinson, 33, also from Wallsend, that Donna is making great progress and now has her confidence back.

Donna said:

I’m so happy to be at the EveryDay launch today – I’ve been so excited to see the new look and find out the new name and I think it’s great.

The company has been very supportive to me. I felt really vulnerable when I came out of hospital and things have been tough, but with the care and support from my Personal Support Assistant, Claire, I feel like I’ve got my confidence back. She never lets me feel down about anything and showed me that even though I’d been through a lot, I could still do everything I’d done before. We’re about the same age too and have lots in common, which really helps.

I’m absolutely certain that without Claire’s support, I wouldn’t be back to my old self like I am today. I feel so lucky to have such great, professional support around me and know that whatever is round the corner, I’m not on my own.