About CASA (Care and Share Associates)
The CASA project is being driven by Sunderland Home Care Associates Limited, and two of its founder members, Margaret Elliott and Shaun Jackson. The CASA team is completed by David Wheatcroft and Dr. Guy Turnbull. This dynamic combination of entrepreneurial flair and robust management systems, built up over working successfully in the home care sector, come together to ensure the successful implementation of the CASA Replication Programme.
Margaret Elliott OBE FRSA
Margaret has been involved in co-operative development since the 1970's, first as founder members of a workers co-operative shop, Little Women, and then a small home care co-operative, Little Women Household Services Ltd. This co-operative used Social Security benefits to cover the cost of the help. It built up close contacts with Social Services, Trades Unions and the Voluntary Sector. After a stint at the Prince’s Trust, and a study visit to care co-operatives in New York, Margaret established Sunderland Home Care Associates in 1994. Margaret’s commitment to participation in the work place is as strong now as it was when she first learned of this totally different approach to working in the early seventies. This way of working will form the development of Anywhere Home Care Associates. Margaret was delighted to be awarded an OBE in the 2008 New Year's Honours List for her dedication and influence in the field of employee ownership and care.
Shaun Jackson
Shaun became involved with Sunderland Home Care Associates in early 1994 when Margaret Elliott outlined her plans to develop a genuinely democratic home care co-operative. As Shaun’s background was heavily influenced by community projects with particular focus on democracy in the workplace, he was very interested and excited by this proposal, and had little hesitation in committing to creating an economically sustainable and efficiently run business which had as its main goals the provision of a good quality service whilst striving to ensure good working conditions for its members.
Shaun’s main working role within SHCA was to co-ordinate the provision of home support packages to enable people to live, and be cared for, in their own home. Throughout this time, Shaun also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors, which was democratically elected by the members in 1996, and he has acted as a temporary Registered Manager for North Tyneside and also Newcastle Home Care Associates where he is currently based.
Margaret and Shaun’s experience, skill, and drive is complemented by access and reference to the CASA ‘Business Manual’, which sets out in remarkable detail the systems required to establish, accredit and manage a successful home care venture.
