An home care service that launched with just one client three years ago now employs more than 70 and plans to expand across North Wales.

Meddyg Care’s Help at Home provides more than 1,500 hours of care a week to 87 people in Gwynedd, helping many remain in their own homes.

Managing director Kevin Edwards says the rapid growth has helped ease pressure on the NHS as many clients could otherwise be stuck in hospital or residential care.

Key to the success of the service is the recruitment of drivers who take carers to their appointments.

The company, which has care homes in Porthmadog, Criccieth and Rhyl employing in excess of 275 staff, launched Help at Home after being approached by relatives of people who were still able to live in their own homes but needed extra support.

Kevin said: "We launched the service in March 2023 and it started with just one client.

“From there, the service has grown quickly because the demand is there; it has become a lifeline to our service users, and it’s still growing.

"We are looking to expand, we would like to take the service up to the North Wales coast and recreate what we have done in Gwynedd across Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire.

"Some of our users have dementia, or mobility issues, and others find it difficult to give themselves personal care, or need help getting out of bed and dressing because.

"People look at Help at Home because their loved one has been hospitalised because of a fall, or had surgery and are less mobile and can't look after themselves.

"A lot of the time they are stuck in hospital putting pressure on the NHS and taking up a bed when they really want and need to be at home."

Fellow director Nicola Rutherford added: "We get a lot of positive feedback from the families about our service and they say it allows them to be the daughter or son again, rather than the sole carer.

"That is probably the biggest gift we give to families.

"Drivers take three or four carers who don't drive to far-flung areas though all weather, to ensure that vital service is provided.

"A lot of our staff applied for roles, but they didn't have a driving licence, be it down to the cost of driving lessons, or cost of insurance, or they just can't get lessons locally or a driving test.

"People are waiting up to a year for a driving test around here, which is crazy.

"That meant we had to be proactive about it and basically advertise for drivers, we did it through local adverts and some of it was word of mouth.

"We could not have grown the business to reach the furthest parts of Gwynedd such as Harlech or Tywyn without our drivers, it's as simple as that."

Driver Mark Grayson Wood, from Pwllheli, said: "It's great to be part of something which makes a genuine difference to people's lives, it is rewarding to be part of such an important service."