The heart of South West Essex has recently ushered in a new chapter for local in-home care provision – a passion project spearheaded by Shahid Iqbal and his Registered Care Manager Barbara Ukaegbu. Their new business, Visiting Angels, has arrived in Leyton with a straightforward mission: to provide top-notch, personal care right where people are most comfortable… their homes. Shahid’s personal experience and insight into the care sector has led to him facing the taboos of care head on.
The pandemic hit close to home for Shahid, revealing not just the widespread issues in care homes that made headlines, but also causing personal loss and grief in his own family. And having cared for his late father combined with his daughter’s experiences working in the care sector, his revitalised approach has embedded a culture of empathy and understanding into the very foundation of their business. It’s a venture born from real stories, ensuring genuine, quality care for the people of South West Essex.
Born and bred in Waltham Forest, Shahid spent the majority of his working life in the commercial business sector, taking on various roles from sales all the way up to higher management positions. Consistently, Shahid’s love for people has been his main driver for taking that next step on the career path, which ultimately led him to seek a position where he could have a positive impact on his community.
“My vision for Visiting Angels is rooted in supporting working families in their communities and enabling elderly individuals to age gracefully in the comfort of their own homes,” said Shahid. “When my own mother needed care after a knee replacement, she was initially against having any outside help. I had to take time off work to care for her, but I recognise that not everyone has that option. This personal experience drives my determination to support those whose family don’t have the option to take time off work to care for their loved ones.
“In the South Asian community especially, there’s a real taboo around seeking professional care for your family rather than caring for them yourself. I’m committed to changing these attitudes by showing people that admitting you need help is never a weakness but a sign of strength, one which means you are committed to providing the highest quality care for those you love the most.”
Visiting Angels’ ‘carer-centric’ approach sets it apart from other companies in the in-home care sector. Carers working for Visiting Angels feel valued and respected for their commitment to this important job. Through both financial rewards and opportunities for career development, Shahid, Barbara and the Visiting Angels team are determined to address issues surrounding the industry, which often leaves carers feeling little-to-no appreciation.
“Something we’re really committed to is employing a truly diverse team who speak a range of languages to make sure everyone in the community can access the same quality of care, regardless of the language they speak. We want to make sure that language is never a barrier to anyone, and to ensure that every single person in our care feels comfortable and never feels alone. We see what an incredibly difficult job carers do, and we want to show them that we recognise their commitment to such a selfless profession.”
