Local home care company Walfinch Chiswick, Hammersmith and Kensington has been named the best small business in Hammersmith and Fulham, an award underlined by recently taking a care client to lunch in Paris.

Owner Tanya Santos says: “Winning the H&F Business Awards Small Business of the Year award is a huge testament to the hard work of our whole team. We work together to maintain outstanding standards of care, and to make Walfinch a force for good in our local communities.”

The home care business, based Glenthorne Road, Hammersmith, delivers care that promotes active, healthy living and mental wellbeing.

Tanya adds: “A big factor in our win was almost certainly the ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which we earned this year after our first inspection. The standards are rigorous and it’s very rare to be rated outstanding at an initial inspection.”

A commitment to local care professionals

The award also recognises Walfinch’s commitment to its team of over 45 staff.  Magdalena Chmielewska, Walfinch’s Registered Manager, says: “We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer. Our team includes students and parents, and we are happy to offer the flexibility they need.” Alongside competitive pay, staff receive internal performance awards and access to wellbeing support and counselling.

Tanya also felt that the committee were impressed by the company’s written LGBTQ+ policy, and its community commitment, which includes summer picnics on Brook Green and supporting local charities, using local cafes for client outings and carer celebrations. “We will be going out to celebrate winning small business of the year, and of course, it will be local.” she laughs.

And so to Paris…

Walfinch claims to go the extra mile for customers, but recently, it went over 300. Carer Allison accompanied her client to lunch – in Paris.

Tanya says: “When our client, who has palliative care, said she wanted lunch in Paris, we were determined to make it happen.”

The team arranged risk assessments for travel in the UK and France, insurance for both the client and carer, documents, lists of medicines and all emergency protocols.

It took a week of round-the-clock work before Allison and her client set off, accompanied by the client’s husband and daughter, on the Eurostar to Paris. They went to a specific restaurant (and even a specific table), which held cherished memories for the client and her family, and they and other family members enjoyed a meal together.

The client says: “I had a great time and Allison was an invaluable support.” Allison says: “It was great fun, and so rewarding to make our client’s dream come true.”

Tanya says: “We encourage our clients to tell us what they want to achieve, no matter how ambitious, and we will always do our best to make it a reality.”

Call Tanya for free care advice on 020 4568 6800.

Tanya Santos

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