About Sunderland Home Care Associates
Sunderland Home Care Associates is structured so that people will always come first.
As an employee owned social enterprise, staff members get a vital role in the decision-making process because they own a share in the company. That means profits are spent on providing a better service or towards rewarding our staff. Our unique structure means that staff members have the opportunity to take part in democratic general meetings every other month and help set our budgets, pay and conditions.
Sunderland Home Care Associates strongly believes that well trained staff become more confident and are able to offer a better quality service. All staff get involved in training and all issues surrounding training, so that their training needs are met.
If something concerns you or if you have an idea as to how we can improve, your voice will be heard.
“We are motivated by care of the client and not by making money”.
Recognised collective success
The development of Sunderland Home Care Associates is a unique story. Dating back to 1976 with the formation of the Little Women co-operative, the organisation has always had its roots in the not-for-profit sector.
In 1994, the new business started trading and is now owned by over 220 care workers from the local area, delivering the highest of professional standards.
The staff’s achievements at Sunderland Home Care Associates have caught the eye of many regional and national decision-makers and Margaret Elliott, the founder of the company, was awarded an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours List. Presentations have been made to the House of Commons and other national social enterprise organisations who want to see care delivered by a social enterprise in their area.
In 2004, Sunderland Home Care Associates scooped the Best Participation and Best of the Best awards from the North East Social Enterprise Partnership (NESEP). In 2006, SHCA was the overall winner of the prestigious Enterprising Solutions Award organised by the Social Enterprise Coalition. This success is down to strong team-working, high standards and great commitment from the staff.
More information about Care & Share Associates (CASA) Limited is available on the CASA website.
Other Home Care Associates in the group include: