Business success for former social worker

A former social worker who took the plunge to set up her own business after 20 years working in local government is reaping the rewards as it continues to go from strength to strength.

In the past 15 months Jayne Price has more than doubled her workforce to 45 and has moved to bigger premises.

Jayne opened Right at Home Preston and South Ribble in 2015, having decided that her background and skills in social care could be used to deliver home care services in her local area.

She was put on the right road by the team at Mr Franchise – a growing UK advice service which helps people find their perfect business opportunity.

Jayne went through the Mr Franchise process in a programme organised with Lancashire County Council.

The company has been called in by a number of local authorities and organisations as part of the support given to workers facing redundancy.

It helped guide Jayne through the process of picking out the right business ownership opportunity for her, providing information and advice every step of the way.

The result was a Right at Home franchise. It offers people a range of support services for people in their own home. It premium quality services focus on treating people as independent individuals.

Jayne has a wealth of experience working in mental health care, hospital social work and community work with older adults. She went on to manage social work teams, working with older adults, people with a physical disability and those with sensory impairment. Her final role with Lancashire County Council focused on safeguarding adults.

She said: “I’ve always worked in care and this opportunity was the one that felt right for me. It was absolutely crucial that I came into business through the franchising system. I had a lot of experience as a manager in a local authority but nothing from a commercial or business background.

“It has been a really good journey. We’ve taken the business up a notch, with bigger premises and more staff, including building up the admin and back office team.”

She added: “It is not just about the financial rewards it’s about being able to do this, to run a business, make improvements and meet the challenges.

“That’s the message I’d give to anyone in local government who is facing the different, changing world that we’re now living in. If you can make that step into business there are a lot of rewards in making it all happen.”

David Nelson, who is a co-founder of Mr Franchise and runs its Lancashire operation, says rising numbers of local authority workers are looking to become their own boss as cuts continue across the country.

He says: “Self-employment and business ownership is not for everyone. But we are seeing a lot of people who have had a change in their professional circumstances looking to turn it into an opportunity to be their own boss.”

“Jayne’s is a classic example of what can be achieved with the support and advice that a franchise offers to a new business owner. It also highlights how a person’s skills and experience can be harnessed to build a successful business.”

“People like Jayne who come to us for advice have money to invest but don’t necessarily have a clear view of what type of business they want to operate. “We work with them to identify the right opportunity for them, looking at their skills and experience, what interests and what excites them. It is a service very much based on the needs of the client.”