A firm which was started using every penny of Chris Afful's £280 savings has blossomed into a one-stop service for the elderly and disabled.

Over the years the firm has developed a care service for elderly and disabled people which has helped to save lives of older people around the country.

The company, which started in 1996, is well on the way to becoming a million pound business in the next few years and has more than 1,000 elderly clients on its books.

The firm, called Christopher James, is based at the Carlisle Business Centre and was started at Mr Afful's home as a one-man band but now employs 35 people - 22 of them care assistants.

It offers a 24-hour stress alarm service which includes a neck pendant used to alert a control room if the alarm button is pressed. The control room operatives can hold a two-way conversation with the older person through a microphone and receiver attached to their telephone.

The company also offers a secure door-entry system using a digital door lock, a swipe card or an intercom and provides grab rails and wheelchairs as part of the one-stop shop service.

The firm, which last week was presented with an Investors in People Award by the deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Lancaster, believes in training and paying its staff well.

Mr Afful said: "When I started the company I knew that if it was to make a difference towards really helping the elderly and disabled, my employees would need to be well numerated, and supported. All too often carers are paid very low rates of pay and treated as though they are doing their employer a favour.''

The company, which expects to take on extra staff in the next few years, has also developed a website at www.christopherjames.co.uk.

The next project is to develop a creche for the children of staff and set up a club called Stimulation which will allow disabled and elderly people to improve their social lives.

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