Local care company ‘highly commended’ in national awards

by | Jun 14, 2021 | Dartford Business, Dartford News, Welfare

Home Instead Dartford, a local home care company was recently ‘Highly Commended’ at the Home Care Awards 2021, which recognises the best home care providers across the UK.

The company based in Swanscombe, was ‘highly commended’ in the category of ‘Best start-up home care service or new franchisee’. Having only opened their business in June 2019, owners Christina Uppenkamp and Ram Chandra Thapa have seen fantastic initial success since they launched.

Since launching, the business has expanded its care services, currently employing 40 members of staff who have collectively provided 20,000 hours of care to elderly people in the local area. They have also enrolled 25% of their staff on NVQ levels 2 and 3 training. The company is also an active local employer, currently looking to take on a number of new caregivers throughout the area.

Throughout the pandemic, the company started various initiatives to keep up the morale of clients and caregivers during a difficult time. They distributed care packages to their caregivers, with Christina knitting face-mask extenders to keep caregivers comfortable in PPE, as well as arranging wellbeing sessions for employees.

They were recently recognised as a 5* employer by independent research company WorkBuzz due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from an employees and clients.

Christina comments: “Ram and I are overjoyed to have been named as ‘highly commended’ for this category in the Home Care Awards 2021. We launched our business with the aim to extend our family values to the local community, providing care we would want for our own family members to individuals across Dartford and the surrounding areas.

“We are so pleased that our hard work and dedication has been recognised through these national awards which hold so much importance in our sector. We look forward to continuing caring for seniors across the local area for many, many more years!”

For more information about Home Instead Dartford and the home care services they provide, please call 01322 923750 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/dartford

Early work begins on the Lower Thames Crossing

The early work to prepare parts of Essex and Kent for construction of National Highways’ Lower Thames Crossing is now underway. Before the major construction and tunnelling begins in 2028, work will be carried out to protect the area’s utility supplies, heritage, and...

Dartford launches bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture

Dartford has officially entered the race to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, confirming its intention to submit an Expression of Interest by 31 March in the new national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Town of...

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) celebrates the women behind lifesaving charity

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is proud to mark International Women’s Day 2026 by celebrating the remarkable contribution of women across our lifesaving service. This year’s global theme, ‘Give to Gain’, which encourages a mindset of generosity...

Charity brings family more time with their beloved retired police dog

A charity that helps retired police dogs access the best in veterinary care has covered the cost of vital surgery for a Labrador who worked as a search and detection dog with Kent Police. Retired police dog (RPD) Max worked as a passive drugs detection dog with...

CINDERELLA – PANTO MAGIC RETURNS TO THE ORCHARD THEATRE THIS CHRISTMAS

The countdown is on to the biggest ball of the year, and you’re all invited! This festive season, the curtain will rise at the newly refurbished Orchard Theatre welcoming audiences back with everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale with the spectacular family...

Railway through Dartford reopens for Southeastern and Thameslink passengers following major half-term upgrade

£10m of work completed on time with improvements to several stations so that trains can resume. The South Eastern Railway has successfully reopened the railway through Dartford after completing a significant upgrade programme carried out over the February half-term,...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2025-26 | MEET HARRIET KWOK

Dartford took on Brentwood Town at the end of January. Chris Palmer spoke to Harriet Hiu Ching Kwok, who featured in the matchday programme for that fixture. For those who missed it, here is the article: This is Harriet Hiu Ching Kwok's first season with the Dartford...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2025-26 | MEET DENZELLE OLOPADE

Dartford took on Brentwood Town at the end of January. Chris Palmer spoke to Denzelle Olopade, who featured in the matchday programme for that fixture. For those who missed it, here is the article: This is Denzelle Olopade's second campaign at Princes Park, and the...

Love is best shared at ASK Italian this February

ASK Italian is celebrating Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day with a new set menu featuring limited edition sharing specials, designed for generous, memorable moments around the table this February. Available now until 15th February,...

CREW CLOTHING OPENS NEW STORE AT BLUEWATER

THE PREMIUM BRITISH LIFESTYLE BRAND OPENS AT KENT’S PREMIER SHOPPING DESTINATION Premium British lifestyle brand Crew Clothing is delighted to announce the opening of its brand-new store at Bluewater, the premier shopping destination in Kent. Opening on 26th February,...