Janice King, Operations’ Director at Manorcourt Homecare began her career in the social care sector working in a care home 30 years ago. Recognising the growing demand at the time to provide care to people in their own homes, Janice embarked on setting up a homecare service and Manorcourt Homecare began in 1999.
Norfolk-born Janice was originally a hairdresser with her own shop when her young son wanted to get involved in motocross – an expensive sport. She looked for some extra work to help fund the new hobby and started cleaning the kitchens at St Leonard’s Court Care Home in Mundford three evenings a week.
She explained, “I loved the residents in the care home from day one and really looked forward to going to work – the people who owned the home could see that and asked if I wanted to try some care shifts.
“There was no looking back for me. I was a bit naïve to start with but soon learnt what was involved. Care is hard work but so very rewarding.”
Soon Janice gave up her hairdressing business for a full time career in care and it was obvious to her that a different type of care was needed – homecare.
“At this point I was working in the care home full time but we then had one local lady who really needed extra care but would not come to live in the home so we agreed to put a plan together to go to her.
“This was in the early 1990s, there was no such thing as a homecare service at that time. I used to go in to her in the morning and help her get up, then work in the care home all day before going back to help this lady get to bed.”
Gradually more people wanted a carer to go out to their homes and the business grew, it was sold on and Janice went with it. Manorcourt Homecare was set up and the business concentrated on the homecare side of things.
“Home carers need a vast amount of knowledge, it isn’t just about providing care even though that is an important part of the service, “ said Janice.
“People really look forward to the time in the day when their carer comes in – sometimes it is the only person they may be seeing in a day so we have to make that visit valuable and special for them, no matter how busy or pushed for time we may be.”
Manorcourt Homecare’s objectives have always been to provide the highest standards of personalised care; where dignity is respected; independence is promoted; and where life is lived to its fullest potential.
Janice was critical in the growth of the company, from its first few clients to an established homecare provider now with approximately 1800 clients. Janice has been instrumental in building Manorcourt Homecare’s reputation for delivering specialist care and support services from its 11 branch locations in East Anglia and Greater London.
Janice progressed with the business, becoming a shareholder and eventually Operations Director. She has personally provided care for thousands of people over the years , in many cases building up lasting friendships. There has only ever been just one client who she did not feel able to continue visiting as a carer.
“We just didn’t hit it off – it can happen and if it does a carer isn’t able to give their best quality care. I always let my carers know to say something if a problem like that crops up, “ said Janice.
“Homecare is about care and support – you have to be professional but you have to be able to be a friend to the client as well.”
Janice, who is the youngest of six children, knows the importance of a family mealtime. It is often around key mealtimes when carers make their visits.
“For lots of people mealtime is a big social part of the day – certainly at my house it was with six children, plus friends, there was always chatter and laughs around the table, “ she said.
“I imagine for some people to go from that to sitting on your own in front of the TV must be hard. That is why it is so important that home carers make their visits count – we can become like family.”
Janice has been a motivational leader and a role model within Healthcare Homes Group, sharing her expertise in all matters of homecare. She is passionate about providing person-centred care and support services to people in their own homes, ensuring every customer receives a first class service.
Speaking before her retirement in February, Janice said she plans to give herself two to three months to decide exactly what she wants to do now.
“Work has been my life and taken up most my time for the past 30 years – I have allowed it to, I was always on the end of the phone and loved what I was doing. But after the last couple of years with the Covid-19 pandemic and challenges to my own health I know I need to think about myself and my family.”
Janice has two children and four grandchildren who she aims to spend more time with. She has recently taken up learning to jive and plans to spend a bit more time doing that. Her husband Peter, a welder and fabricator, won’t be joining her in retirement just yet.
“I have 30 years’ worth of things to sort through in the last few weeks of my time in post and also plan to visit all the branches one final time and see as many staff as I can before I leave, “ added Janice.
“We have a fantastic group of managers and amazing teams at Manorcourt Homecare – I know am leaving the business in good hands.”
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