Christine McNamara - Founder:

With over 34 years of experience in the Health and Social Care Sector I am well placed to offer the kind of service that I’ve always wanted to provide whilst working for other employers.

I started out working for a London Borough in a department which is now called ‘the initial assessment team’. I have had the privilege of seeing the various disciplines of social work at first hand and I was drawn to the care for the elderly specialisation. I was inspired, and still am, by the life stories of seemingly ordinary folk. I’ve been fascinated to learn about their life histories and these have helped to shape my views and to inform my belief that the elderly, in very many ways, have much to offer younger generations and we can certainly learn from them. Even those living with dementia. Although living in the present might be a challenge and they might need a little help, they are often blessed with clear recollections that they are eager to share.

When I left the local authority, I moved into the private sector, working for some of the best-known homecare organisations and also for a charity operating in this field.

Provision of the appropriate level of care and support is essential and I have an extensive experience of assessment for a wide range of care service including from ‘drop-in’ calls to multiple hours to cover complex needs. I’ve set up and managed a live-in care provision, maintaining many people’s independence, avoiding the need for residential care.

More than 10 years ago I joined one of the country’s largest franchised care providing companies, working for the franchisor, at first as a Business Development Manager, then as a Quality Manager with oversight of many franchised businesses. I found this rewarding in a new way: I was able to influence the delivery of high-quality care to a huge population. What I missed however was the personal relationship with those requiring the assistance and their families.

As a result of these experiences I decided to set up Gracious Care. We aspire to be the best in the field, offering you or your spouse, your mum, your dad, your brother or sister, care with respect, compassion and a level of service ‘custom built’ to keep them at home amongst familiar surroundings and memories.

Steve McNamara - Co-Founder:

My elderly relatives are an inspiration as they deal with increasing infirmity and exhibit a steely determination to remain independent. No doubt they will require assistance in the future and I’ll be on hand to help to provide it but when trained staff are required, I want to make sure that the best is available. I’m sure that that’s what we all want for our loved ones. Care, but not intrusion. When Gracious Care was founded, I wanted to be part of this venture with its ambition to provide excellence in care for everyone associated with us so that, not only the person being cared for but also the carer finds the relationship a fulfilling one.

One of my major roles is to oversee quality audits. This will include having conversations with customers and their families. I will be sending out annual satisfaction surveys and from these I will be able to analyse areas where our services can be improved. Of course, I’ll be available throughout the year should the occasion arise and we continuously monitor our levels of service provided to individuals so that, should you require additional assistance we’ll be ready to step in.

Mikilia Harris - Operations Manager:

Mikilia is so much more than a manager. Gracious Care are so pleased to have her with us as she brings wide ranging business experience which she is able to apply with great effect. This in turn helps everything run smoothly.

It is the little things, that brings satisfaction and a smile to both customers and to Mikilia. Each customer is an individual and knowing their likes and dislikes is what Gracious Care is all about. A simple thing like, a bed sheet turned over at the top, a visit to a favourite coffee shop or giving a customer their favourite treat is the attention to detail we like to provide. When the need has arisen Mikilia has and always will, make calls herself rather than risk customers going without the support they need. 

Mikilia is in touch with our staff and customers alike and will lead by example. She is Gracious Care through and through, living the ethos and displaying the commitment and values that we know our customers deserve.