Young Entrepreneurs Set Up New Agency

Six months ago Chris Thomas, 25, had the idea of setting up a 24 hour domiciliary care agency in Llandeilo. Today Cadog Home Care have received their CSSIW accreditation and are now serving Llangadog, Llandeilo, Llandovery and the surrounding areas.

They have already created 3 jobs and hope to create 10 by the end of their first year of business.

Chris graduated with honours with a Health & Social Care degree at Swansea Metropolitan University and, whilst employed as a support worker and team leader, spotted a gap in the market for a home care service in his area. He and his sister Clare Hatfield then decided to set up Cadog Home Care to fill that gap.

To help realise their business dream, Chris went to Mentro’s Tomas Marks and Glyn Jones for advice. Mentro is run by Menter Bro Dinefwr and is part of the RDP Sir Gâr Rural Entrepreneurship project*, providing free business support to young people aged between 16 and 30.

Cadog Home Care were given ideas for advertising, financial advice and information on starting their business.

“The help from Mentro made a big difference and gave us more confidence in our venture,” says Chris.

Menter Bro Dinefwr Chief Executive, Owain Gruffydd, is delighted with the progress Cadog Home Care have made: “It is great to see young people staying in the locality and using their skills and expertise to set up a new business and create jobs in rural Carmarthenshire.”

If you would like to find out more about this new service call 01558 822250 or email cadog.homecare@btconnect.com for further details.

For further information about the Mentro youth entrepreneurship project contact Tomas Marks at Menter Bro Dinefwr on (01558) 825336 or email tomasmarks@menterbrodinefwr.org.

*The project is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.