As the UK’s no 1 homecare franchise, we marked a momentous day for our brand on Friday – we officially received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of the innovation our franchise model has brought to the care sector.

We are incredibly proud to say that we are the first homecare provider to receive a Queen’s Award in their 50-year history, which is further testament to the realisation of our franchise’s mission: to change the face of ageing through our relationship-led care.

Our UK Managing Director Martin Jones received the award on our brand’s behalf. An historic scroll and commemorative crystal bowl was presented to us by HRH’s official representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs, MBE, K.St.J.

The Queen’s Award is a pinnacle of UK business achievement. It pays tribute to the unique blueprint the Home Instead Senior Care franchise has created. It is a model deployed by our 190 offices, with franchisees running successful businesses and making a difference to society at the same time as part of our mission.

The momentous award was presented in a most fitting setting. Franchisees from across our network joined the 40-strong support team from National Office to mark such a special day in our brand’s history. Our Queen’s Award celebration took place at the historic country house, Adlington Hall, in the heart of Cheshire.

Recognising the contribution Home Instead Senior Care has made since the model was brought to the UK from the US in 2005, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, said:

“You have won THE highest award that can be won by any business in the UK. It is an award for each of you and you should be hugely proud of what you have achieved.

“It is something of a testament to our society on both sides of the Atlantic that The Queen has been so impressed with your single minded determination to give the elderly what they want – to cherish or dare I say to love and to truly care for them – and for that you are today presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.”

He later added: “You have also understood that one of the biggest killers is loneliness and so you are not just there to clean or to cook or to change the person being cared for – but they are there as a friend and they spend time talking to and getting to know the client – they develop a relationship and become a friend. And it is for that that you have an award for innovation – relationship care – matching the carer to the client and of course making sure that the same carer sees the same client over a long period.”

The royal achievement has also been recognised by Andrea Sutcliffe, the Care Quality Commission’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, who said: “I am delighted for Home Instead on achieving this royal recognition. This is an organisation that is truly leading the way in providing outstanding care for the people they support. To receive such a prestigious award is a credit to the tremendous amount of hard work and commitment and my congratulations go to everyone involved.”

Martin Jones, Home Instead Senior Care Managing Director, added: “We are the first and only homecare company ever to have received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. To receive the award for innovation is, I think, a real reflection of the truly pioneering approach we have taken to providing care for older people.”

Ruth Brown, Head of Franchise Development, said: “We are by far the leading no 1 homecare company in the UK. No other care companies can compete with the quality of care we deliver, the impact we have on the sector and the support our franchisees receive. Add royal recognition to our accolades, alongside a terrific 10 Outstanding Ratings from the Care Quality Commission and it’s clear that our success is unprecedented.”

There are 120 territories available at Home Instead Senior Care, opportunities to join a powerful franchise family that provides care that’s good enough for the Queen’s Award!