Leadership – Moonrise managing director Jessica Gwaringa says there is a real sense that businesses want to see each other succeed in the Tees region.
Building a care business in Tees Valley: why community matters
THE
CARING
COMPANY
At Moonrise, the Tees Valley has never simply been the place where people work – it is home.
Since founding Moonrise in Stockton-on-Tees in 2014, the company has seen first-hand the resilience, ambition and community spirit that makes this region such a strong place to build a business.
What started as a healthcare recruitment agency has grown into a wider care organisation providing domiciliary care, supported living, children’ s services, staff supply and transport support across the North- East.
Over the years, Moonrise has worked with local authorities, healthcare providers, charities, families and communities across the region, and throughout that journey one thing has remained consistent: the strength of the people in the Tees Valley.
Like many businesses operating in health and social care, Moonrise has faced challenges around recruitment and workforce pressures.
Demand for care services continues to increase, while attracting and retaining skilled, compassionate staff has become more competitive than ever before.
The care sector relies entirely on people. It is about finding individuals with empathy, resilience and a genuine passion for supporting others. Those qualities are invaluable, but in today’ s climate, they can also be difficult to recruit for.
However, despite those challenges, the Tees Valley continues to stand out because of the people who live and work here.
Jessica Gwaringa, founder and managing director of Moonrise, said:“ Running a care business comes with challenges every single day, especially when it comes to recruitment and workforce shortages.
“ But one thing we have always found in the Tees Valley is support. There is a real sense that businesses want to see each other succeed.”
That support has played a major role in Moonrise’ s growth over the last decade.
As a business, the firm has benefited from strong local partnerships, networking opportunities and collaboration with organisations across the region.
Whether through local business groups, training providers or relationships with fellow employers, there is a genuine culture of collaboration here that helps businesses grow sustainably.
For many SMEs, having access to a supportive network can make a huge difference. Recruitment shortages, increasing demand for services and rising operational costs all create ongoing challenges.
Yet within Tees Valley, businesses understand the value of working together rather than competing against one another.
Jessica added:“ The Tees Valley has a strong identity. People here are resilient, hardworking and communityfocused, and those qualities are incredibly important in the care sector.
“ We have been able to grow because we have built relationships with people and organisations who believe in what we are trying to achieve.”
At Moonrise, recruitment is about more than filling vacancies. It understands the importance of placing the right people in the right
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