A care company is celebrating becoming an employee-owned trust.

Everycare (Central & Hants) Ltd, which provides care across the Winchester area, has made the move after founder and owner Mike Frizzell decided to start planning his retirement.

Mr Frizzell, who set up the business in 2010 after being made redundant as a finance director, wanted to take a step back from the business at the age of 66.

He said: "I wanted to start to move away and spend time doing other things that I enjoy.

"I’m a very practical and active person. I enjoy orienteering and already take part in that hobby weekly and would like to do more of it.

"I enjoy gardening and have designed and landscaped my own garden but I need to catch up on those important tasks in the garden.

"Also next year, I want to free up time to support my daughter as she builds her own business as a qualified nutritional therapist – and she will be supporting many of her clients online.

"I plan to learn about digital marketing as well as keeping a handle on the finances when she launches her consultancy in 2025."

He decided to move the company, which has 50 carers and six office staff, to an employee-owned trust.

This allows the team to take over the business, while Mike gradually exits.

He added: "It was a solution which also supported our clients who would not be aware of any changes in the everyday operation of the business and therefore there would be no anxiety or worry for them.

"It also supported the team and gave them confidence to know that their future is in their hands."

The transition was supported by employee-owned trust expert Chris Maslin, of Go EO.

He said: "It’s been a privilege to work with the team to help them transition to a new and bright future for this caring business which supports many vulnerable people in the community.

"It worked very well also for this type of franchise business model by creating a smooth transition to a new ‘group of owners’ who already know the business inside and out."

The company was set up in 2010 after being registered by the CQC (the Care Quality Commission) and offers live-in care and domiciliary care in the Winchester area.

It is now run by a board of trustees.