A CARE entrepreneur who set up a dementia care service in Worcester has been revealed as the winner of an international award.

Caroline Balmer, who established Worcester-based Caremark on the Blackpole Trading Estate in Hindlip Lane, has won the Inspirational Achiever category of Pitman Training’s SuperAchievers awards.

The 36-year-old was nominated in the annual awards after founding the dementia care service, and was nominated along with hundreds of others from across the globe.

The local Worcester community got behind Mrs Balmer as the public voting system was announced, resulting in a category win in the International Awards.

Before founding the service Mrs Balmer worked in the care industry for more than 15 years witnessing how dementia can affect a family, whist her grandmother developed Alzheimer’s disease in later life.

Through her experiences, Mrs Balmer was driven to start her own business to provide the high level of service she feels those in need deserve, beginning Caremark (Worcester and Malvern Hills).

Once registered a solid recruitment drive was put into action to recruit and train the new staff ready for a role caring for the vulnerable.

While tackling the processes and legalities of setting up a new business, Mrs Balmer was also studying for a degree in dementia studies .

Her husband Dave supported her in her efforts and maintained his role as a postman.

Now the business is more established he has joined the business, managing recruitment.

Mrs Balmer said: "Often you only hear about the negatives in the care industry, but there are thousands of hard working carers out there every day doing an amazing job."

Mrs Balmer received the accolade with 46 per cent of the vote. She receives a cash prize of £500 from Pitman Training and a free distance learning training course, from a wide selection of courses from the group, to further support the business.

Claire Barratt, who sat on the judges panel of Pitman Training SuperAchievers, said: “Without doubt Caroline is truly an inspirational achiever of the year.

"Completing a degree, starting and building her own business, employing 30 staff and ambition to involve herself in charity fundraising – her determination to continue to achieve is outstanding”.

Judge Jennifer Corcoran added: “Caroline is the definition of a true SuperAchiever.

"Over the course of a year she has completed a degree and set up a thriving business which is serving a real need in her community. Not only is she helping to provide care and companionship to people in their own homes but she is also providing employment to a team of 35 people.

"This is one lady who truly deserves to toot her own horn.”