THREE generations of the same family are now involved in running an independent care agency with more than 30 years of experience, which says that dignity, respect and compassion are ‘at the heart’ of its work.

Small wonder then that Riccall Care (RC) has entered the Family Business of the Year category in The Press Business Awards 2016.

Established in 1984, today Escrick-based RC is run by Gill and Tony Conroy, daughter Helen, her fiance Adam Thompson and the Conroys’ son-in-law Mike Richards.

In 1984 accountant Peter and social worker Sheila Lawson sold the family home and opened a care home for the elderly with their daughter Mrs Conroy, then working as a nurse.

Mr Lawson did the accounts while Mrs Conroy and her mother did most of the hands-on work: “cooking, cleaning, redecorating and caring for the first residents, striving to ensure that dignity, respect and compassion were at the heart of their work; aims woven into the DNA of the business today”.

Later the business diversified into domiciliary care and Mrs Conroy’s husband Tony joined the family business. Mr and Mrs Lawson retired in 1998, but Mr Lawson, now aged 89, still has an interest in the business.

The Conroys’ eldest daughter, Sarah, joined as a carer prior to becoming a nurse. In 1999 they took on a second care home, a third in 2001 and a fourth in 2006. Realising the need for quality care training, Mrs Conroy created a training department to ensure high-quality care giving.

“The quality of care delivered to our residents and clients is paramount and I have always been passionate about training good care workers,” said Mrs Conroy.

This year Gill and Tony’s daughter Helen and her fiance Adam Thompson joined the business to ensure its continuity, growth and the delivery of high-quality home care.