An interview with Alison, Franchise Owner

From our dedicated Care Professionals to our supportive office team and inspiring clients, we are surrounded by women whose compassion, resilience, and leadership shape lives. At the heart of our franchise is Alison, our owner, who, alongside her partner Edward, founded the office in 2015 with a mission to provide outstanding care. In this special interview, Alison shares her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and her advice for aspiring women leaders in the care sector.

What inspired you to open a Home Instead franchise and what makes this area special to you?

I started our office with my partner Edward back in April 2015 after meeting some other owners of local offices (especially Alan and Lucy at the Altrincham office!) We were inspired by their passion to make ageing better for people and to give outstanding care. I wanted to do something that would really make a difference after working for 30 years in retail buying, and this seemed that it could be that mission.

Can you share a moment in your career that shaped your leadership style?

I have been very lucky to work with some wonderful people over the last ten years who have taught me all I know about care. I am inspired every day by the hard working and dedicated women (and men!) who support our clients. Even when they have difficult experiences of their own to deal with, they always put those challenges aside to provide the most outstanding care. They all feel, like I do, that we should always ask ourselves whether the care we give would be good enough for our own loved ones…and make our choices based on the answer to that question.

What has been the most rewarding moment in your journey with Home Instead South Manchester?

There have been so many! I still can’t believe that 10 years ago, Edward and I had no clients and no Care Professionals, and since then we have helped over 500 clients to have a better life and supported over 350 Care Professionals to give that outstanding care!

How does Home Instead South Manchester make a difference in the lives of clients and caregivers?

We make a difference to our clients and our caregivers by always doing our best to make a “match” between them, so that they can build a relationship founded in trust and in having regular visits. That is where the best care happens. Our mission is to find people with the right values to become Care Professionals and then to train them and support them so that they can give great care.

What leadership qualities do you think are most important for women in senior roles?

The most important leadership qualities in care are the ability to listen, to empathise, to be able to create order where there is chaos and build confidence in the team that they can do it, because they always can!

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership positions in the care sector?

We try to develop our team from within and in fact almost all our office team started as Care Professionals. I would say, if you love to care for people and you have energy and passion, then you already have within you all you need to develop a career in care. We can help with everything else!

What do you love most about your role?

I love the fact that we can make a difference in peoples lives every day. It may sound trite, but it is true. Every time we open the door to a client’s home we can put a smile on their face, have a laugh with them, learn from them and make them feel heard. What job is better than that?

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day means to me the opportunity to celebrate the strength, love and endless capabilities of the many women we work with every day whether that is our amazing office team, our Care Professionals, or the incredible clients we visit!