From Part-Time Work to Lifelong Passion: How a Student Job Sparked a Successful Business Venture
Combining her innately caring nature and business acumen, Andrada Horvat and her partner Claudiu Dordea have launched Sylvian Care Farnham – a home care company inspired by her passion for caring for the elderly and vulnerable living in her own community. The couple, who both relocated from Romania to the UK to complete their studies, are celebrating as they ‘set up shop’ at their new premises. As a testament to their commitment to their community, their new office will be situated in the old post office in Runfold.
“We want our office to be a hub of the community like the old post office would have been in its heyday,” explains Andrada. “Taking care of others, especially the elderly who can often experience periods of loneliness and isolation, is what inspired me and Claudiu to launch Sylvian Care in the first place so it’s only right that we bring the business to the heart of our neighborhood.
“I came to the UK to study international business and during my studies started working part-time as a care professional at Sylvian Care. I just fell in love with the role – caring for those who need it most, whether that just be popping out to run errands for them or supporting them to live their lives with dignity. I took a really personalized approach, memorizing my clients’ routines and making an effort to get them out and about, where possible. My work with Sylvian taught me that my calling in life is a long-term commitment to in-home care, keeping clients with their loved ones as much as possible and integrating in the communities where, in some cases, they’ve lived for most of their lives.”
Having worked delivering care to clients in their homes for over a year, whilst studying full time for a degree in international business, Andrada was soon promoted to field care supervisor. Claudiu continued to work alongside the team at the Reading and Wokingham office, whilst completing his psychology degree, before the couple invested in their own Sylvian Care branch.
“We moved to the area just about three years ago, settling in Fleet. I’ve really enjoyed being here and have met so many lovely people in and around the community. It really feels like a home away from home. My family in Romania is super close and caring, and we want to replicate that feeling through our business. We’re prepared to work hard to make sure the elderly and vulnerable in the local community feel that warmth too.”
Nationwide care brand Sylvian Care nurtures a uniquely personable relationship between care professionals and service users, creating a supportive, caring and familiar space for people to feel respected and confident to continue living life their way. Sylvian Care Farnham received registration from the Care Quality Commission late last summer. Andrada and her team deliver the full range of Sylvian’s services, including live-in care, companionship and specialist dementia care. The Farnham branch extends its services to residents in Aldershot, Badshot, Crookham Village, Church Crookham, Dogmersfield, Farnborough and Fleet.
“Now that we’re settling into our new office premises, I’m hoping to get more involved in the community too. We’re in contact with Fleet Library to attend a craft and chatter event and are reaching out to local charities too. I think it’s of real value to our clients to give them the opportunity to be more social and active in their local communities. Bringing Sylvian into the community is a big goal of mine and something I want us to achieve as soon as possible.”
If you or a loved one is in need of care, discover the range of services Sylvian Care Farnham is offering by visiting: https://sylviancare.co.uk/farnham