Home care specialist Helping Hands has opened the doors of its new branch in Swindon.

The Swindon office is based on Commercial Road and will be the base for staff supporting people in Marlborough, Cricklade, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury and the surrounding areas.

A number of guests attended the official opening event, including Helping Hands CEO Tim Lee, the Mayor of Swindon Maureen Penny, and a number of Helping Hands’ carers and customers. They were treated to cake and drinks, and provided with information about what Helping Hands offers.

Beverley O’Hara, the Swindon branch manager, said: “I’m delighted to be overseeing the team here in Swindon. I’ve lived in Wiltshire for more than 11 years and I love being able to help those in my local area. I’ve previously worked in domiciliary care, which I enjoyed immensely, and having a personal connection with my customers is something I’m really passionate about.”

Family-run Helping Hands has been providing support through live-in and hourly care services for customers across England and Wales since 1989, and is the longest standing homecare service in the UK. Helping Hands has 55 branches nationwide and the opening of the Swindon branch is part of the company-wide expansion plan.

Tim Lee, CEO, said, “ Helping Hands is a family owned business; serving families. Helping Hands have been providing care across the country for over 28 years now and whether we’re delivering 1 hour of care to someone to provide companionship and make a meal, or full time Live In Care, our service enables our customers to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

"I am delighted to be opening our new branch in Swindon which will help us to support more people within the area. We are looking forward to being active in the local community and recruiting empathetic local carers to support our customers who wish to remain independent at home. Our aim is to become the employer of choice in the care sector."