A NEW care business has been launched after an entrepreneur befriended a care worker who looked after her mother.

Care worker Andrea Brooksby had been working at an East Yorkshire care home when she met Liz Gericke, the daughter of one of her patients.

The pair, along with colleague Gail Knott, have since gone on to launch At Home – Specialists in Care, a venture aimed at supporting elderly and vulnerable adults to live independently at home.

The Pocklington-based company, which has gained accreditation from the Care Quality Commission, was launched with support from Harrowells Solicitors, which has offices in York, Pocklington, Easingwold and Thirsk.

Ms Brooksby, who has worked in the care sector for 15 years, said: “Liz is from Pocklington but is also a successful businesswoman in South Africa and divides her time between the two.

“I met her when caring for her mum in a residential home and we soon became friends.

“Liz wanted to put something back into the local community and has become our start-up investor.

“Along with our colleague Gail Knott, who has commercial expertise and more than 20 years care experience, including having worked with disabled adults and children, we can provide badly-needed services in an area which initially focuses on Pocklingon, Market Weighton and surrounding villages.

“Our business, which works alongside district nurses and Macmillan Nurses, will help meet the needs of an ageing population.

“Harrowells has been excellent in enabling us to get our venture off the ground and, particularly, with addressing the complex regulatory issues involved in applying to the Care Quality Commission.”

At Home – Specialists in Care is registered with East Riding Council and, as demand grows, aims to extend its services to Driffield, Bridlington and Scarborough. Its services include preparing meals, laundry, personal care assistance, shopping, cleaning, errands, and overnight stays to give other carers a break.

Legal services provided by Harrowells commercial division solicitor Matthew Rowley and employment partner Marie Horner, included setting up the limited company; advising Liz Gericke on the best corporate structure and overseeing the Care Quality Commission application drafting the company’s terms of business. preparing and advising on employment contracts and handbook and advising on other regulatory obligations including data protection registration and information security.