Two childhood friends have launched a new home care business in Mansfield.

Ghulam Murtaza and Fawad Chishty are opening SureCare Mansfield, which will provide a range of regulated and non-regulated care services.

A qualified anaesthesiologist, Ghulam worked in medical practice for more than 20 years in Pakistan before moving to the UK.

Fawad came to the UK as a student to study accountancy and now runs his own practice in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Ghulam (pictured left) will be responsible for the operational side of the new business with Fawad overseeing finance and HR matters.

“While I was in Pakistan, my mother became very ill with diabetes and Parkinson’s disease and, as the only son, I took on the responsibility of caring for her,” said Ghulam.

“I saw then just how difficult it is to care for a relative and in Pakistan there is no such thing as home care services.

“After moving to the UK, I wanted to set up a business that made a difference in our community and, with my medical background and first-hand experience of caring for a loved one, I knew I wanted to set up a home care business.

“There is a huge and growing demand for home care in this country. Everyone will need care at some stage of their lives. In the last few months I have worked in care and learned so much about people’s needs and the type of services that are required.”

The friends have launched a Mansfield franchise for SureCare, whih celebrated its 30-year anniversary this year.

Ghulam added: “I researched the home care market extensively and the one company that stood out was SureCare.

“While our main focus will be on delivering excellent domiciliary care services, we will also be looking for opportunities to promote non-regulated services such as babysitting and pet care.”

Fawad said: “We are both passionate about providing people in the Mansfield community and surrounding areas with home care services of the highest quality.”