A CROWDFUNDING campaign to support the launch of a project thought to be the first community-owned home care service, has reached its target.

Founders of the not-for–profit enterprise NEDCare hope that, if successful, the innovative new project could help to revolutionise care in rural areas across the UK.

The online ‘crowdfunding’ campaign which began on July 21 and ended on Saturday has gone well, with over 60 individual donors raising over £8,500.

These funds will be added to the £30,000 already pledged by the Moretonhampstead Hospital League of Friends, which brings them almost half way towards the overall target of £80,000.

Project co-ordinator Julia Darby said: ‘The largest cost is in hiring the specialist care manager who can take NEDCare through registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and then manage the service.

‘The next largest costs are working capital to support the enterprise as it builds the business, alongside premises and compliance costs. CQC registration is really important as it is the only way we can ensure safe and regulated social care for our most isolated and vulnerable people.’

NEDCare is also applying to various grant making trusts and the Lottery to achieve the full start-up funding required.

Once established, the community business will be viable on earned income alone.

Julia said: ‘We are so grateful for all the local support and it proves to funders that we have the backing of our local communities.’

North East Dartmoor Care is a true community project. It came about after the local cottage hospital lost all its beds and residents approached the Moretonhampstead Development Trust, (a local charity) with their concerns.

‘We have evidence of a real lack of services, which is particularly impacting on older residents needing help to stay at home,’ Julia said.

The trust’s evidence shows that many of the most vulnerable residents are going without vital support at home, or are often stuck in hospital for weeks at a time, because of the lack of local home-care.

NEDCare’s vision is that everyone in north east Dartmoor who needs social care can get the care that they need, both where and when they need it.

They currently run a carer introduction service to help people find Carers who work on a self employed basis.

If you would like to support NEDCare in achieving that vision or to find out more please go to www.nedcare.org or www.crowdfunder.co.uk/nedcare or leave a message on 01647 640722.