Margaret Farley is opening her own care home with modern bedrooms

Seven Kings woman shuns retirement to open new care home

by Joshua Fowler, Reporter Friday, March 9, 2012
9:19 AM

A kind-hearted woman from Seven Kings says she is “not ready for knitting needles” just yet as she prepares to open a new care home.

Margaret Farley has shunned pleas from her family to take her well earned retirement in favour of carrying on her 38-year career as a carer for people with learning disabilities.

Infinity Social Care, in Selbourne Road, Ilford will be a 24-hour facility for up to five people aged 18 or over with learning difficulties and autism, funded entirely by Margaret and her family.

Though the thought of working beyond retirement age would fill most with dread, Margaret says her love for her work means she has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

She said: “I tried working in an office once and I didn’t like it, I want to be active and I immediately loved caring for people.

“My family have begged me to retire and a doctor even told me I should take a break, but now I’m in my 60s and I’m still at it.

“I will be involved in every aspect of my residents’ care. We want them to get everything out of life.”

Margaret has worked for the borough council for most of her career and claims to have seen a big change in later years that have helped her keep going.

She added: “It’s much easier today as everything is more community-based and there aren’t so many people living together.

“It used to be 20 to a ward and we had to do everything, but people now have more freedom and choice which makes life easier for carers.

“The service I’m setting up will be a home for people and will give them all the choices anyone else would have.”

Margaret, who has also been a foster parent for the past five years, hopes Infinity Social Care will be open in the next month and has invited the mayor to the grand opening.

For more information on the home contact Margaret on 07958 952 530.