How one man went from a semi-professional boxer to a full-time care provider as a franchisee.

Picture a professional care provider and it’s unlikely to be a 23-year-old man working with a semi-pro boxer, but the story of how Cameron Campbell reawakened his care client Alistair’s zest for life shows how Walfinch is breaking the mould.

Cameron, the Walfinch franchisee for West Suffolk, was asked by Mary, a nurse, about care for her dad, Alistair.

“She was worried that he was not eating properly, and he seemed to have become less engaged with the world,” says Cameron. “She wanted a carer to visit twice a week to ensure he was thriving.”

Alistair likes sport so Cameron matched him with Sam, aged 20, who, as well as being on Cameron’s care team, is a semi-professional boxer (and Cameron’s younger brother).

“They were soon out in the garden, chatting about sport while trimming hedges and cutting the lawn,” he says. Before long Sam was accompanying Alistair on shopping trips, errands and walks.

Sam says: “Alistair has a great sense of humour and we have a laugh together. When I see him, we go out, because he likes to get outdoors and so do I.” Sam used to be a bricklayer but says: “Cameron asked me to join his team and I fell in love with this job. It brings a smile to my clients’ faces and to mine.

“Most clients and their families are surprised when I turn up but they like my youthful energy and we often compare life when they were young to my life today. Some even say I’m their extra grandchild! Even when I eventually go pro as a boxer, I’ll still work with some of my clients.”

Being a Walfinch franchisee is all about solving problems.

Cameron says: “We had a client who was struggling to speak, but seeing a word written down helped her remember it. Her son had written some words on paper to help her. I saw it was a good idea so I printed the words out on a piece of paper and laminated it so that she could keep it by her bed. She could point to the words she needed, like drink and pain. Small actions can make a big difference.”

Cameron embodies Walfinch’s ability to step outside the traditional image of the care sector. He left school at 16 and worked in recruitment, and later joined Walfinch head office to recruit care workers.

“When I wanted to start my own company, Walfinch offered me the chance to become a franchisee, so at 23 I own an hourly care services business,“ he says. “I’d never done care work before but now as well as managing the business and my care team I help out with client care when necessary. It’s a rewarding business whatever your age or background.”

Walfinch is looking for new franchisees who prioritise care quality while wanting to build a successful business.