A COMPANY which has provided care throughout the community during the last five years is commanding a firmer foothold in the town.

EasyCare Ltd is to transfer from its base at Europa House in Barcroft Street to new headquarters at Frecheville Court next month and will also launch an offshoot company. This year has been particularly significant for the firm which has just achieved Investor in People (IIP) status.

The business was established in 2001 and is a domiciliary care company which caters for people with differing requirements in order to help them to continue living in their own homes. They include vulnerable adults, adults with learning disabilities, children with disabilities, families and children and young adults.

EasyCare is one of four main authorised providers in the borough, contracted by the local authority's adult care services department. The firm is also contracted as an authorised provider by neighbouring Bolton Council.

Manager and company trainer Tracey Bergin said: "The services we provide can involve a task as simple as preparing a hot drink through to the complexities surrounding the personal care of a person who is totally immobile and unable to live within their own home without our dedicated team of 41 employees."

Regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, EasyCare underwent its second inspection earlier this year and met every standard. "In fact, we exceeded the standard in training and development and quality assurance," added Tracey.

And the future for EasyCare is equally bright. Tracey continued: "We have purchased a new office building in the town centre, which we will occupy from September, and formed a new company, EasyCare Training Services, which will initially provide in-house training via myself to all our staff members.

"But, in addition, we hope to eventually provide training to external companies. Training and development is high on our agenda and we are totally committed to providing a quality care service to our service users through the continuing development of our highly trained staff."

Tracey said: "In 2001, we set out to create a care company that would provide the very best care. We are proud that we feel we have exceeded our initial expectations."