Clayton-based domiciliary care provider, Care2Care (Yorkshire) Ltd, has introduced a pioneering physical activity division to deliver customised exercise programmes directly to clients in their own homes.
Phill Lautman, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, stated that the decision to create a dedicated division for physical activity services was driven by increasing demand. The initiative is grounded in the understanding that health and wellbeing are critically important for individuals who may not have access to physical activity or may be unable to leave their homes.
“At the beginning of this year we trialled the development of individual physical activity programmes for some of our clients,” he says. “The idea was to provide additional support based on the proven benefits of a range of physical activity in helping with a variety of issues from client wellbeing to specific physical challenges.”
Phill noted that the trial was met with immediate success, revealing a significant need for such services.
“Initial feedback from clients who engaged was that it made a real and positive difference to their lives. We’ve since rolled it out across our customer cohort and the decision to now create a dedicated team is in response to an ever-increasing demand.”
Rosie Walker, who has been appointed as the Physical Activity Manager, will lead the new division. She shared her excitement about the expanded range of support that Care2Care can now offer.
“Care2Care are already known in the local area for providing really comprehensive and complex support,” says Rosie. “Making the decision to further build this team and create a dedicated department is a brilliant example of how being able to offer a wide range of support can make such a huge difference to people’s lives. I’m really excited about what it means for the people we support.”
Care2Care is the only at-home care service in West Yorkshire to offer this particular type of physical activity support. The programmes are highly personalised, with intensity levels tailored to the individual’s needs and goals, and are all approved by healthcare professionals.
“When people think of physical activity, they often imagine tough workouts at the gym. While that more intense kind of exercise can be part of what this provision offers, it doesn’t have to be, and isn’t always necessarily appropriate,” says Phill. “For some people, learning to pick up and hold a cup again after injuries caused by a road accident, for example, can be a massive step forward. Re-learning how to do something like make a cup of tea can be a real challenge, so it’s important we work very much with clients as part of supporting their rehabilitation. The physical activity provision addresses situations like these, amongst others.”
For over 10 years, Care2Care has been delivering at-home care to adults across Bradford and the surrounding areas. Their services cater to a diverse range of needs, from developmental and mental health challenges to conditions such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, and dementia, as well as mobility issues and injuries resulting from road traffic accidents.
“We see the whole spectrum of needs with the clients we support,” says Phill. “There is certainly no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach and we’re proud of the in-depth understanding our staff have of those they support. It means our clients get bespoke, specialist help that is just right for them, whether they need to re-learn how to hold a pen or have ambitions to go rock climbing! This new department will serve to further underpin that approach.”
To learn more about Care2Care’s new physical activity division, individuals can contact Rosie Walker or Phill Lautman at 01274 880321.
