Walfinch Franchisee Sarah Wickham, Nominated for National Care Award

Sarah Wickham, the registered manager of Saxmundham-based homecare company Walfinch Suffolk Coastal, has been announced as a finalist in The Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards; a national awards programme designed to celebrate female contribution to the social care industry.

Sarah has been shortlisted in the Home Care Business Woman of the Year Award category.

With over 85% of the social care workforce being female, the overall purpose of The Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards is to highlight and celebrate the incredible achievements of female leaders, in all roles, and create a platform to support both rising stars and future leaders.

Sarah set up Walfinch Suffolk Coastal in December 2019 and was accredited to operate its services in April 2020 – at the height of the pandemic. Under Sarah’s leadership, the team has since expanded to around 50 carers and today provides care services to people in their homes across the coastal region, including Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Southwold to Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and up to Great Yarmouth.

With over 25 years of experience in the care industry, Sarah became the very first Walfinch franchise office and, in 2022, she expanded her business further, by acquiring the Walfinch Norwich franchise.

Talking about her shortlisting, Sarah said, “I am so happy to be announced as a finalist; it really is a fantastic endorsement of the hard work my team and I have undertaken to establish a reputable homecare provider and local employer across East Anglia.

“Setting up a new business amid a pandemic was a challenge to say the least, however we’ve received excellent praise from the CQC in our first inspection and the personal feedback I receive from our clients and their families is really positive. While I have been personally nominated, I believe that one person doesn’t make up a team, and so I would like to dedicate this recognition to my entire team – I am very proud of all of our achievements.”

A Gala Awards takes place on 30th November at The Hilton Bankside Hotel, London, where the category winners will be revealed.