A LOCAL man and former Olympic torch bearer is using his knowledge of sport and team spirit to help grow his family’s care business, Butterfly, across Wiltshire, Bath and Somerset.
Ben Wicks, 23, is the son of the co-founder of Butterfly, a company which prides itself on providing the highest quality home care and support to the elderly and those living with illness and disability.
Ben joins his mother and stepfather, Anne and Eric Pelling, and their team as business development manager. The company, which employs around 70 staff has grown rapidly over the past eight years and has gained a reputation for its personal and consistently good care service.
Ben, who was brought up in Bath and Dilton Marsh near Westbury, went to St Andrews Primary school and Ralph Allen Secondary School. He did a four year degree at Bournemouth University on sport development and coaching sciences.
He was chosen as an Olympic Torch Bearer for London 2012 due to his voluntary work with young people with disabilities, which included helping with the Paralympic Flame Celebration event.
“It was so special. It was a very exciting and emotional day,” says Ben. “I felt very honoured and humbled to be chosen.”
When Ben left university, he went to work for the West of England Sport Trust based in Bristol, working around sports for those with disabilities. He loved the networking and building partnerships, as well as working with diverse groups of people.
“I can see how I can transfer these skills to Butterfly. We want to continue to expand the company and I am looking forward to working with the team and carers. I think my mother is excited to have me on board because as a family member I have seen how Butterfly has grown over the years.”
Ben has been a keen rugby player but more recently turned his attention to competing in triathlons – swimming, cycling and running – and is planning to compete in his first Half Iron Man Challenge later next year. He is also planning to marry fiancé Jess Deane, so a big family celebration is ahead.
Butterfly was set up eight years ago in Bath by Anne Pelling who had a long and distinguished career as a carer.
Butterfly expanded into Wiltshire in 2013, and has a reputation for best practice in home care. Today the team employ more than 70 staff working across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire providing care at all levels for those wishing to remain independent in their own homes.
For further information visit www.butterflyhomehelp.com
