A TYNEDALE-BASED home care company has celebrated its first birthday - in a global pandemic no less!

Home Instead Senior Care Tyne Valley opened its doors before the first national lockdown last year.

The business, which has its base in Hexham, specialises in providing person-centred care for older people in their own homes.

“It’s going really really well”, said proprietor Heather Hughes. “I think there’s not been a service quite like Home Instead in the Tyne Valley.”

The company is a private service and has a minimum of one hour care.

Heather added: “I’m really proud to say we haven’t had any clients or caregivers with Covid. It’s down to everyone sticking to the rules, being really careful with their hand hygiene and what they do out of work time. We’ve been really lucky.

“We’ve got some lovely caregivers, a mixture of all local people. We’ve also had lots of positive feedback from the clients and their families - we’re always really keen to know what everyone thinks and how they’re feeling.”

Most clients and staff have now been vaccinated which was a “relief.”

The business was recognised by MP Guy Opperman for a local business award and received a cornerstone award from its company for the hours of service achieved. “We’re itching to get out”, said Heather. “We’ve got loads of ideas as soon as we’re allowed.”

The company is attached to the Bring Joy Foundation, who give out grants to help the elderly do things locally they’d like to.