AN INDEPENDENT care provider which started in Weymouth is marking its 35th anniversary - and its founder says he's never felt more proud to be at the helm than now, as his teams 'risk their lives to provide essential care' during the pandemic.

From a single care home in Weymouth, Agincare has grown to deliver care nationwide, employing over 3,500 people.

Agincare will be marking the milestone with its teams and clients by hosting a series of events over the year - depending on the ongoing Covid situation.

In 1986 founder and chairman, Derek Luckhurst, started his first care home – Agincourt – in Weymouth, Dorset.

Derek created independent care provider Agincare in 1993 to deliver home care and manage a growing number of care and nursing homes across the country.

Derek said: “I was inspired to go into the care sector because I knew there were ways of providing a better quality of care than what was available at the time. Since then I’m immensely proud that, in my opinion, we as a team have evolved into the best and greatest value care provider in the country.

“Looking back, I have plenty of memories of the last 35 years, but can’t imagine anything more profound than what we are going through at the moment with the Covid pandemic. I have never felt so proud of the team. Everyone at all levels has played their part from the Chief Executive, through to our dedicated care workers going out every day risking their lives to provide an essential service to society.”

Chief executive of Agincare, Raina Summerson, said: “Unlike many other care providers, despite our rapid growth and success, Agincare has remained family-owned with no external investors. We are a local and caring organisation driven by people with a passion for what they do.”

Agincare has a deep-rooted connection to Weymouth and Portland - Derek’s father, grandfather and uncles all worked on the naval base on Portland – and is driving regeneration on the island.

In 2014 Agincare converted a derelict naval bakery in Castletown, Portland to be its main Headquarters and house all its support teams under one roof; and it is soon to be joined by an adjacent new ‘Riggers’ office to accommodate the growing head office workforce.

Derek spearheads the Castletown Regeneration Project, which has brought many improvements to the area following the closure of the Naval base air station and underwater weapons research establishment in the late 1990s.

Included is a tourist information centre, Crabbers’ Wharf holiday apartments and new D-day centre.

Agincare now has over 70 public sector contracts nationwide.

Find out more about Agincare’s story at www.agincare.com/35-years

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