How to run a successful care group AND a charity…

In this episode of the Care CEO Success Stories podcast, Adam James talks with Shaleeza Hasham, Director of CHD Living and CEO/Founder of the Adopt A Grandparent charity. Shaleeza shares her inspiring journey, detailing the origin of her family's care business and the creation of Adopt A Grandparent which combats loneliness by connecting volunteers with older adults. In the episode Shaleeza: Recounts her family's immigrant journey to the UK, highlighting how her parents, refugees in the late '70s, established a care business, CHD Living, driven by a desire to give back to the community.  This led to the conversion of a training centre into a 15-bed nursing home. Explains how growing up in the nursing home "instilled values of patience and respect" for older people. After pursuing education and work outside the care sector, Shaleeza returned to social care due to her passion for it. Describes jow "Adopt a Grandparent" initially started as a local initiative in 2019, inviting young people to spend meaningful time with those in care. The concept gained traction, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown prompted a shift to virtual interactions, resulting in a "remarkable" response of over 40,000 volunteers. Driven by the alarming statistic that 23% of older people face premature death due to loneliness, the charity garnered international attention. Over 100,000 volunteers worldwide have registered, emphasising the "widespread impact and the diverse motivations" of participants, ranging from those without grandparents to individuals seeking to combat their own loneliness. Discusses the challenges faced in managing and expanding the program, emphasising the need for care providers to "commit to safeguarding participants," and how a mandatory training program for volunteers ensures "effective communication" with people living with dementia and an understanding of adult safeguarding. Acknowledges that as CEO of CHD Living - a multi-site care operator – there is a difficulty in  dividing her time. While her business projects take priority, her passion for Adopt A Grandparent "drives her to balance the demands of both roles." Explains how the charity's vision involves "growing its impact, developing technology for faster volunteer pairing, and establishing a champion role for each care group or region.," and that the use of AI in pairing, akin to a dating app, aims to streamline the process. Describes, future aspirations for Adopt A Grandparent, include providing bursaries for vulnerable individuals and unpaid carers. Shares her insights into grant writing, highlighting the importance of learning and seeking advice in the charity sector. Care providers and potential sponsors can visit the charity's website, adoptagrandparent.org.uk, to find information, and get in touch.