'More people want to be cared for at home'

The owners of a care service provider say "more and more people are wanting to remain living at home" rather than going into a care home.

Mel and Tristan Holland have been running TLC Support Services, based near Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, since 2014, and Lisha Hopkins, deputy manager, said "there's always a waiting list".

Although the Hollands have a privately-run family business, they said more funding needs to be put into adult social care so people can get the care they need at home.

A government spokesperson said: "We are addressing the adult social care sector's urgent need for support with over £4.6bn funding available for adult social care in 2028-29 compared to 2025-26."

Gloucestershire County Council is preparing to spend £243m on social care this year, not including education services.

In 2022, about 360,000 people in England were living in care homes, while 700,000 received domiciliary care, according to Statista and Homecare.

"I think people want to stay home now, it never really was much of an option when I first started this job 18 years ago," Hopkins said.

"People would often just go into a care home for that 24-hour care package, whereas now domiciliary companies provide up to 4 visits a day; I just think the need is generally higher."

Tristan Holland said the service is part of the Home Care Association, which gives guidance on minimum pricing, although Holland said it is "still way off what the local authorities will fund".

He said the funding structure as a whole needs to change.

"There needs to be more funding put in, not only so people can receive good care, but so that staff can get good training as well."

Rachel Goatman, a care worker, said the rural nature of the service is vital, as she is able to pick service users up and take them to their destination.

"Sometimes some of our service users may have mobility issues or confidence issues. So by having me alongside them, it just gives them a little bit of confidence."

Jill Lowden, 89, lives in Wotton-under-Edge, and said receiving domiciliary care means she can be supported by carers and also carry on doing the things she enjoys, like going to the garden centre.

"The carers are here for support whilst I have a shower," she said.

"They often think of jobs to do that I don't think of.

"Life would be very difficult without my carers."

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