Highland Home Carers celebrates 21 years as a leading adult social care provider and under employee ownership bosses welcome huge socio-economic benefit to the region
One of the north’s leading adult social care providers – Highland Home Carers (HHC) – celebrated 21 years of employee ownership at an event at its Inverness HQ last week.
The employee owned organisation and social enterprise is commissioned by NHS Highland and delivers a diverse range of services for adults with care and support needs across the region.
Some of the highlights since its inception in 2004 include:
• HHC has employed well over 2,000 individuals across the Highlands
• Delivered more than six million hours of care and support
• Paid more than £77 million in net wages to its employees
• Employees received 2.7 million free shares
• Nearly half of those have been cashed-in, providing over £550,000 in tax-free or tax-efficient income
• And around 20 employee-elected directors have helped deliver Fair Work and democracy in the workplace.
HHC Managing Director, Campbell Mair said: “We are incredibly proud to have blazed a trail in the Highlands and delighted to mark our 21st year under employee ownership.
“In that time we have employed well over 2,000 individuals, building a dedicated workforce rooted in the Highlands, with approximately 20 employee elected directors having helped shape the direction of the organisation, delivering Fair Work and democracy in the workplace.
“We are immensely proud of the work we do, the lives that we have impacted so positively, and the enormous contribution that we have made to the Highland economy.
“Since 2004, HHC has paid more than £77 million in net wages to its employees - all of whom live locally in the Highlands, strengthening the regional economy and supporting thousands of households across our communities.
“Additionally, as part of our employee ownership model, 2.7 million free shares have been distributed to employees, with nearly half of these have been cashed in, providing employees with over £550,000 in tax-free or tax-efficient income - a tangible reward for their contribution and commitment.”
And Inverness-based Care Practitioner Lucy Wilson, who is also one of HHC’s three current employee elected directors, adds: “I am so pleased and proud to be a Director of the Company.
“It’s a great opportunity to contribute, have an effective voice, and learn. I’d encourage anyone who has this kind of opportunity to become involved.”
Mr Mair that the HHC anniversary is an opportunity to underline the role that community enterprise model offers.
“Celebrating our 21st Birthday is an opportunity to improve public understanding, as well as reframe social care as an essential social and economic investment in Highland,” he said.
“As well as the direct and indirect effects leading to a rise in household income, HHC, and our contributions across the Highland economy, also create a wide range of benefits that are not captured in Gross Value Added or employment measures, such as the wellbeing of adults receiving care and support, and peace of mind for the general population.
“Indeed, the magnitude of these socioeconomic impacts means that for every £1 spent, there are £1.98 in socioeconomic benefits.”