Care providers in Lincolnshire are set to be given a boost after the county’s care association chair was appointed to head up a national care organisation.
Melanie Weatherly, CEO of home care provider Walnut Care, will co-chair the Care Association Alliance alongside Erica Lockhart after being appointed by the body last week. Erica Lockhart is the CEO of Surrey Care Association. Insert pic of melanie with her name as caption here
The Care Association Alliance brings together care associations from across the country under one umbrella. Its aim is to engage with stakeholders across government departments and give local care associations a voice nationally.
Melanie was nominated by four care association chairs in London last week. She already represents Lincolnshire on the body as the current chair of the county’s care association.
Melanie said: “I’m thrilled and honoured with this appointment, which will mean good news for Lincolnshire’s care industry.
“I intend to use my experience as a care provider and employer of more than 200 people in the industry to speak up for other providers, not just in Lincolnshire, but across the country.
“There is plenty of work to be done. As an industry, we can achieve so much more by working together, rather than individually.
“In Lincolnshire, we have a healthcare partnership between local authorities, care providers and the NHS to ensure the highest standards are met. I want to guarantee the merits of this approach are highlighted.”
Walnut Care is the largest provider of home care across Lincolnshire. The family-run company is one of many SMEs providing care services across the UK, a point which Melanie intends to highlight as part of her new role.
Melanie added: “SMEs like Walnut Care are the backbone of the care industry. I want to speak up for the smaller companies delivering care, under sometimes tricky circumstances. Their voices must be heard at the highest level and it’s my job to make sure this happens.”
Melanie will take over from Debbie Le Quesne, chair of the West Midlands Care Association.
