Duncan Cameron

Community at the heart

For Duncan, the heart of the business remains exactly what he said back in 2016: treating people with dignity and helping them enjoy their independence. Today, that mission has expanded into running free dementia-friendly activities such as walking football, singing, gardening and, most recently, lawn bowls.

“Absolutely, that still feels like the heart of the business. I spend most of my working week running dementia activities with our Clients and other community members. Seeing their enjoyment and improvement in wellbeing and cognitive function is fantastic.”

He admits that in the early days, he questioned whether the investment of time was worth it.

“At first, I didn’t see many new Clients coming directly from the community work we did. But over time, as trust has grown, more families have reached out for our support. It’s really about building relationships, not quick results.”

Duncan now sits on steering groups for dementia initiatives across Havant, Petersfield and Emsworth, working closely with local MPs, mayors and community leaders.

“I’m not viewed as a care company, but more Duncan – who owns a care company – who is really great to partner with and will help in the community. I’ve fostered some great relationships, and many I see as my friends. But most of all, I do it because I love it. Call it a karma thing!”

Lessons from the journey

The past 10 years have brought plenty of highs – but also challenges, from the pandemic to the realities of scaling a care business.

“The hardest part for us was when COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed slightly and children returned to school. Often, they would bring COVID home, and the Carer would become infected, meaning days of isolation and no work. But in terms of care hours, we were able to respond quickly to the increased demand for live-in care during the pandemic. We already had a core of live-in Carers, and that meant we were well-positioned to pick up those Clients.”

Looking back, Duncan is candid about the resilience required.

“Because we care for people in later life, there is naturally some turnover. That makes sustainable growth a constant focus — but it’s also why resilience is so important. Achieving sustainable growth can be a challenge. And some days will be really tough going, but you need to stay calm and not get too down. It’s a cliché but a truism – you need lots of resilience. Being supported in a strong franchise helps a lot.”

Support from the franchise network

Throughout his journey, Duncan has valued Right at Home’s balance of independence and support.

“I think Right at Home has always struck the right balance with the franchisor–franchisee relationship. I’ve always been highly impressed by the in-person visits I’ve received from our CEO, Lucy, and in the early days, our Chairman, Ken. To travel four hours to visit me says everything about the franchise.”

He also finds inspiration in sharing experiences with fellow franchisees:

“For the most part, we are going through the same issues, and it’s nice to share and support each other. That’s the big benefit of a franchise network.”

Looking ahead

Duncan’s goals for the coming years include returning to a thousand care hours per week and working more closely with hospital discharge teams, Hampshire County Council and the local Integrated Care Board.

But his reflections remain grounded:

“I thought I’d have cracked 1,500 hours per week. Scaling businesses is harder than it seems, but it’s a lot of fun, and I’ve gained so much in terms of purpose and personal satisfaction. After 10 years, I have no regrets joining up with Right at Home.”

Advice for future franchisees

For anyone standing where he once was, Duncan’s message is encouraging but realistic:

“Do it. But be warned, it’s not for everyone, and you need lots of resilience and self-motivation. Remember, sales can go down as well as up. Don’t get too high when things go well, nor should you get too low when things drop off.”

And above all:

“I wish I’d done it sooner. I love being my own boss, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Inspired by Duncan’s story? Discover how you could build a rewarding business with Right at Home. Contact our Franchise Recruitment Team today on 0151 305 0770 or contact franchising@rightathome.co.uk.