About Us
THE FIRS FAMILY- Care, Choice and Independence
Talking to Sanaz Kadar
The Firs is owned and managed privately by the Kadar family, providing dedicated care for younger adults aged 18-65 with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities.
Mr Kemal Kadar is the second-generation family member to run The Firs and has spent a working lifetime managing care homes and gaining extensive qualifications and experience.
Wife Sanaz, a business graduate has joined The Firs team more recently, bringing her own vision for this remarkable house and allowing Kemal the time to take a more practical approach in the growth of facilities and constant renovation of the eight bed-roomed property, facilities and extensive grounds.
Sanaz says: ‘We all care passionately about The Firs, and both Kemal and I have grown up with parents who are equally dedicated to providing care for people with physical and learning disabilities. It was our vision to add the day-care facilities so service users from surrounding areas could enjoy what we have here.’
‘Our ethos is to give people opportunities to enjoy their lives to the fullest and to facilitate that; and we have a lot to learn from our residents and day-care clients. Many of our clients have complex needs and it is our responsibility to communicate with them on their level; to learn what makes them happy or anxious and always try to respond to their wishes. Many of these people can’t communicate in words but with individual care we can read body language and facial expressions to see what they are feeling. We also use a range of tools like mind mats to help them communicate their wishes to us – but a smile is what we always aim for!’
‘For our residents The Firs is their home – not a home. We aim to give everyone here a happy and fulfilled home life and we are their family. We have lots of space, access to the local community and things to do and learn but in a safe, family oriented environment. Equally for our day care service users, they get the opportunity to interact, enjoy trips out and enjoy the wide range of facilities and activities here which often also gives their families a welcome break.’
‘We have a great team here who are absolutely dedicated and I think it shows in the happy environment as soon as you come through the door. We have a registered Manager as well as an amazing team of qualified carers. Our focus is on individual care and a personal, family-oriented approach to make sure we are exceeding the needs of every person here on a daily basis. Above all, we recognise that we are all individuals and we support our clients to help them make their own decisions and choices. It is so important that our service users are in an empowering and enabling environment and that we listen and respect their choices in everything from menus and facilities to trips out.’
‘We are so proud of the facilities here, set in such lovely countryside and with so much to do and see on our doorstep. Our aim for the future is to keep listening to our service users and developing our resources to provide even more opportunities to have fun, try new experiences, develop and learn at The Firs.’