Entrepreneurs win for caring for their community
Supporting families of those with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, acquired brain injuries or those who are disadvantaged due to personal or family situations, by providing temporary or ongoing respite care. We Can was one of the 28 WA finalists that entered the awards across 18 categories.
Ms Offer said she and Ms Monteath had entered the business into the Services category but were surprised when it was announced they had won the award at the presentation evening.
“I was really surprised,” she said. “I couldn’t believe we had won the award. I had written a short speech just in case but we never expected to win.
“It is an honour to receive this recognition and we are proud of ourselves, and our dedicated staff who have helped us succeed.
“Our business is personally rewarding and Judith and I take great satisfaction in the care and service we provide. We are delighted to be the recipients of this prestigious award.”
Judith and Liz have more than 50 years combined experience in the health industry and over this time have seen the growing need for respite accommodation.
Ms Monteath said We Can was an organisation dedicated to providing personal services to people with disabilities and their families in the local community.
“We view the need to have excellent customer service and relationships as a significant requirement of working in the business and we pride ourselves on empowering people with disabilities and providing them with the support necessary to be involved in their community,” she said.
“We tailor and personalise our services for each of our clients because we believe making our clients feel at home and encouraging them to participate in new and varied activities build their confidence – this in turn provides the client with the courage to participate in new and exciting ventures of their choice.”
Ms Offer said they had seen such a huge increase in the demand for respite services she and Ms Monteath were inspired to begin a franchising arm to their business which they anticipate will assist Australia’s 2.6 million unpaid family carers across the country.
“Our 24 hour, seven day a week respite accommodation service for clients is always in high demand,” she said. “In fact, other care organisations that do not have respite accommodation often use We Can’s respite accommodation home.
“By franchising the concept Liz and I know we will make a difference in the lives of families and people with disabilities every day and at the same time fulfil business dreams for carers across the country who want to venture out and start their own business under the safety of a franchisor.”
We Can Community Services will go on to represent their category against other states on a national level at the Australian Small Business Champion Awards to be held in Sydney on November 3, 2007.
This article appears courtesy of the Franchise Council of Australia .
19.11.2007
FCA Member
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