‘Rickshaw therapy’ care home plans expansion after rise in revenues
A Merseyside care home business, with 85 full and part-time staff, has seen turnover rise from £1.2m to more than £1.3m thanks to an innovative care initiative involving rickshaws.
Retired Major Jonathan Cunningham, who owns and manages care homes through his Storm Consulting business, has transformed the wellbeing of residents by taking them on rickshaw rides around the picturesque Victorian resort of Southport.
He believes the move not only reinforces his ‘outstanding’ classification from the Care Quality Commission, but offers lessons that could benefit the whole care industry.
“Our old dears absolutely love their trips out,” he said.
“They’re more engaged with the people and world around them and their appetite is much better.
“Their sleep patterns improve, anxiety levels reduce and there seems to be much greater emotional contentment.
“And, aside from the benefits of enhanced Vitamin D, they just love tucking in to an ice cream,” he added.
Mr Cunningham says his ‘rickshaw therapy’ is indicative of a wider culture of ‘imaginative, enthusiastic care’ at his two homes, Rosebank, which is rated ‘outstanding’, and Birkdale Park, rated ‘good, heading towards outstanding.’
He said: “Most homes are too worried about risk assessments and a poor grade from the CQC to try something innovative like this. But the results speak for themselves.
“There’s a lesson here for the entire industry: enthusiasm, imagination and commitment are all free and by raising our sights the industry can deliver better care in the face of stringent budget cuts.
“I’d like to see rickshaws at work across the country, although it might be a tougher ask in hilly places like Oldham and Macclesfield.”
Mr Cunningham’s business cares for 53 residents across the two homes.
He has plans to expand his services in to domiciliary care and to improve the quality of the end-of-life experience for families.
He said: “It’s a dynamic market place that clearly welcomes fresh thinking and new ideas. We see lots of potential for growth.”
