LOCAL care company Carers and Companions is celebrating over 21 years of providing homecare to people in Ilkley and the Wharfe valley area.

This landmark anniversary for the company, part of local charity Ilkley Community Enterprise Ltd, marks a real achievement for company since its establishment in 2003.

“We’ve come a long way over the last few decades and are delighted to be able to recognise our ‘coming of age’ birthday year,” said Mickala Baker, the company’s Care and Business Manager.

“It’s amazing to see how much we have achieved over the years, providing care and support to many thousands of clients so that they could be as healthy and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. In celebrating we would like to thank all our clients and their family members for the trust they have placed in us.”

In entering its 21st year in business, the company has continued with its local focus and commitment to delivering the best quality care for clients.

“We are proud to be a local company that delivers excellent care,” added Mickala. “Our office is in centre of Ilkley, our fantastic team of community carers are recruited locally and we provide care and support to local residents including many elderly people across the town. Moreover, we are owned and run by an award-winning local charity that is very much an integral part of the Ilkley community. We know, from what our clients and their loved ones tell us, that they really value this local focus and consistent commitment to best quality.”

This year the company has also celebrated being assessed by the Care Quality Commission as a good provider and retaining it’s rating of outstanding for the quality of the care it provides.

One client who recently used the company for respite support at home wrote in to the company to thank them and said: “Your care staff have been brilliant. I’ve got on with them all, they were very professional, attentive and I have never felt rushed. It seemed that time wasn’t an issue. It’s been a good experience and I will use you again.”

The family of a client who has just celebrated her 90th birthday said: “Carers & Companions really enabled my parents to continue to live in their own home as they have always wished. Carers take an individual interest in them as human beings and it’s the personal touches that make the difference. Like sending a card and flowers for mums 90th birthday, she was over the moon.”