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NEW CARE HOME COMPANY COUPLE ACHIEVE DREAM FOR DEMENTIA CARE

(L-R) Mike and Jennifer Aplin with Mark Hislop from Broomfield & Alexander and Sian Elvis of NewLaw outside Danygraig in Porthcawl.

Glamorgan Care Limited, formed by Mike and Jennifer Aplin, has created 45 jobs and invested £750,000 in Danygraig in Porthcawl, which offers high quality care for up to 48 residents in four self-contained units.

Mike, who has been in the care home business for 20 years and was a partner in another care home in Porthcawl for 11 years, and Jennifer, a social worker for the past 10 years, say they want to “raise the bar” when it comes to care for dementia sufferers.

The couple, who have acquired the building on a 20 year lease, were supported in the venture by professional advisors Broomfield & Alexander and NewLaw solicitors, both of whom specialise in the care home sector.

When the couple took over Danygraig - formerly a home for the disabled – it had been closed for 18 months. They spent a year planning a major refurbishment programme to create a facility which now offers high quality care for residents whose dementia ranges from mild onset to the most severe.

Mr Aplin said Danygraig was one of the only homes registered in Wales as a specialist care home for dementia. “We comply with - and in many cases exceed - all modern minimum standards for caring for people with dementia,” he said.

“We felt strongly that we wanted to raise the bar with this venture - it’s an opportunity to put into place everything we think this kind of home should be.

“We think we have created a fantastic environment. People with dementia have little awareness of danger, so we have built a safe and secure environment for our residents.

“Good practice and recent research suggests that people who have dementia should not be cared for in large groups, so we have created smaller units, each for a maximum of twelve people. The units all have twelve en-suite bedrooms, a small kitchenette, lounge, dining area and quiet areas, and each caters for different stages of dementia.”

Jennifer Aplin said the development would also include a day care centre, and that every resident would have a tailored care programme.

“We have made a significant investment in our staff,” she said. “We have carefully selected them, and the 22 we have taken on initially are all fully trained. We lay great store on qualifications, and will be ensuring that all 45 people who are eventually employed here, in whatever role, will be working towards a relevant NVQ.”

Mark Hislop, corporate finance director of Broomfield & Alexander, said the firm advised on budgets and forecasting and took the lead in raising funding from a private investor, negotiating and arranging additional finance.

“It was exciting to be part of creating a new business which had such high aspirations,” he said. “For many years, our health and care team has provided specialist accounting and tax advice to operators in the care homes sector, and it is very gratifying to be able to bring our understanding of its special requirements into the equation for the Aplins.”

Sian Elvis, of NewLaw solicitors, saluted the courage of the couple. “Mike and Jennifer had a love affair with Danygraig. They just had a passion for the property, and for tuning it into a home which would deliver the highest standards.

“There were a number of hurdles to be faced during the various negotiations, but we worked closely with Broomfield & Alexander throughout, and the Aplins stood firm because they were so committed to the project.

“Everyone has worked really hard to make this project work, and it’s great to see Danygraig open.”

Date: 9th February 2009