From Bermuda to Barbican: couple launch new business to transform in-home care in Plymouth

After moving 3,000 miles from Bermuda to explore their family roots in Plymouth three years ago, business and life partners Roderick ‘Roddy’ Petty and Dawn Zuill quickly noticed a gap in the local care sector. Inspired to make a change, they have now launched Visiting Angels in Plymouth – a team that cares for people in the comfort of their own homes. From their Barbican-based office, alongside Plymouth native and Registered Care Manager Tara Williams, Roddy and Dawn are eager to bring their expertise to the area, making a real difference for both carers and clients.

In Bermuda, Roddy and Dawn’s own experiences highlighted the importance of treating people with empathy rather than as just a number. Their commitment to delivering high-quality care led to the creation of Atlantic Caregiving – a successful business they ran for over 16 years – providing compassionate support to the island’s elderly population. Though both were born in Bermuda, their Plymouth journey began when Dawn’s son enrolled at Plymouth University – igniting their desire to reconnect with their family heritage.

“Plymouth felt like home from the moment we arrived,” said Roddy. “We were drawn to the Barbican’s close-knit community, which reminded us of the island life we cherished in Bermuda. It has the perfect balance of charm and opportunity - we knew this was the place where we could make a real impact.

“Once we got involved in the local community, it became clear that care for the elderly and vulnerable wasn’t as well serviced as it could be. With over 16 years of experience providing in-home care in Bermuda, we realised we could bring a fresh approach to the way care is delivered here, one that focuses on empathy and truly supporting both carers and clients.”

Visiting Angels’ ‘carer-centric’ approach sets it apart from other companies in the in-home care sector. Carers working for Visiting Angels feel valued and respected for their commitment to the industry. By offering financial rewards and avenues for career development, Roddy, Dawn and the Visiting Angels team are committed to addressing industry challenges that frequently leave caregivers feeling undervalued and underappreciated.

Dawn, who has 25 years of experience running a recruitment firm in Bermuda, saw firsthand the increasing need for skilled, compassionate carers. While that need inspired her and Roddy to launch their care business on the island, she is now excited to bring the same level of compassionate care they cultivated back home to the city they have fallen in love with.

“Our motivation has always been to make a difference,” explained Dawn. “We’ve witnessed how essential it is to support and nurture carers, and we’ve also seen the consequences of neglecting them. Too many talented individuals are lost to poor treatment, so we’re determined to change that.”

With big plans on the horizon, Roddy and Dawn, along with Tara who brings her extensive local knowledge, are starting their mission by focusing on the often-overlooked villages around Plymouth. By ensuring that rural communities receive the same high level of care as the city, they aim to create clusters of support that not only improve care quality but also boost local employment in these underserved areas.

“We’re passionate about ensuring these smaller, rural areas get the care they deserve,” said Dawn. “The only way to achieve that is by taking good care of our carers. Right now, our focus is on areas like Ivybridge and Tavistock and, as we grow, we’re excited to expand further across Plymouth and South Devon to make an even bigger impact.”

For more information, or to see how Visiting Angels could help care for your loved ones, visit www.visiting-angels.co.uk/southdevon or call Roddy, Dawn and the team on 01752 422105.