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Tyneside Support Organisation Continues to Grow

A Tyneside employee owned social enterprise has taken on more than 50 new members of staff – but is still on the lookout for more.

CASA –Care and Share Associates – recently became one of only two approved providers to offer support services to older and disabled people in the West of the city.

Since winning the contract the Jesmond-based company has recruited seven new recruits and has also taken on 12 staff who previously worked for another care organisation which was not successful in its tender bid.

At the same time it has also taken over 1200 hours of support services on behalf of another organisation which has led to a further 32 staff working under the CASA umbrella.

The company provides flexible homecare packages, tailored to its clients’ individual needs which can range from shopping and running errands to practical help such as help with washing and bathing.

Clients such as 57-year-old Janet Johnson from Scotswood find that being supported by CASA allows her to remain in her own home – and independent.

“I have someone from CASA come in a couple of times a day to help me,” said Janet, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and is paralysed from the waist down.

“It means there’s someone around to help me first thing in the morning and last thing in night otherwise it would be virtually impossible for me to get in and out of bed.”

Her words were echoed by 85-year-old Barbara Tweddell from Fenham, who has been a client of CASA for more than four years.

“They are absolute angels,” said Barbara.

“I don’t know what I would do without them. They come in every day and do everything from helping me put on my shoes to sorting out my dinner.

“I couldn’t manage without them and I certainly wouldn’t be able to stay at home.”

CASA social enterprise was launched in 2004 and since then has gained a reputation for not only providing high quality care but for also putting its people before profit, giving employees shares in the company.

Now it runs services at six locations around theUK, delivering more than 10,000 hours of support every week.

CASA Newcastle is still looking for new recruits with the promise of a rewarding career for the successful candidates.

Twenty-three-year-old Simon Crame has worked for the organisation for eight months and says it has been the perfect career move.

“I wanted to work in an area where I was helping other people,” said Simon.

“I absolutely love the job and you really do make a difference to people’s lives, you feel a real sense of achievement at the end of every day.”

Existing qualifications and experience are not necessary for anyone interested in the posts, as full training is given and staff are given the opportunity to gain qualifications up to an NVQ level 2.

Anyone interested in finding out more can find information on the CASA website at http://www.casaltd.com/working-for-casa/recruitment.

CASA is now the leadingUKfranchisor of social enterprises in the social care sector and is based on the award-winning Sunderland Home Care Associates model which has been operating since 1993.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sorted PR .