About Marula Support Services — Our Story, Our Values, Our Team
A family-run, CQC-registered home care provider based in Birmingham, founded by Melody and Joyce on a deep belief that every person deserves care that truly centres on them.
Why We Named Ourselves After a Tree
The marula tree is native to Africa — celebrated for its resilience, its nourishment and its deep roots. It grows in challenging conditions, supports communities around it, and endures across generations. When Melody and Joyce were choosing a name for their care company, it was the perfect symbol.
Having worked across the care sector for many years, they saw first-hand the difference between care that was merely adequate and care that genuinely transformed someone's life. Frustrated by a sector that too often prioritised process over people, they set out to build something different — a Birmingham care provider rooted in warmth, expertise and unwavering commitment.
Like the marula tree, Marula Support Services stands for strength, nourishment and deep roots in the community. We remain proudly family-run — because we believe that care should feel personal.
“We wanted to build a care company we would choose for our own families — one that combines clinical excellence with genuine human warmth.”
— Melody & Joyce, Co-Founders
The People Behind Marula
Melody
Co-Founder & Registered Care Manager
20+ years in health & social care
Melody is the operational driving force behind Marula. With over 20 years of experience across community care, supported living and residential settings, she is responsible for the quality and safety of everything we do. As our Registered Care Manager, she leads on CQC compliance, care planning and safeguarding — ensuring every person we support receives care that is safe, effective and responsive.
Melody's approach is defined by her belief that good management is invisible — that when care is delivered well, the person receiving it should simply feel supported, not processed. She is deeply committed to developing Marula's carers, investing in their training and ensuring they feel valued in their work.
“Every person who comes to us deserves a care team that truly knows them — not just their care needs, but who they are as a person. That is the standard I hold us to every single day.”
Joyce
Co-Founder & Head of Specialist Support
PBS practitioner · Learning disabilities & autism specialist
Joyce leads Marula's specialist support services, bringing deep expertise in learning disabilities, autism and mental health. She is a trained Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioner — a framework she believes in passionately because it starts with understanding the person, not just managing their behaviour.
Joyce oversees our specialist assessments and ensures that every team member supporting people with complex needs has the right training, understanding and attitude. She is also passionate about carer wellbeing — knowing that a supported, valued team delivers better care for everyone.
“Behind every complex behaviour is a person trying to communicate something. My job — and the job of every Marula carer — is to listen carefully enough to understand what that is.”
“To support people to live independently, with dignity, in the place they call home.”
Our Six Core Values
These values guide every decision we make — from how we recruit carers to how we design and review care plans.
Person-Centred
Every care plan is built around the individual — their wishes, routines, personality and goals. We never apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
Compassionate
We treat every person we support as we would treat a member of our own family — with warmth, patience and genuine care.
Consistent
We work hard to match the right carer and maintain continuity. Familiar faces and reliable routines make an enormous difference.
Trustworthy
We are honest, transparent and accountable. Our clients and their families can rely on us to do what we say we will do.
Empowering
We believe in enabling people to live as independently as possible — not doing things for them, but supporting them to do things for themselves.
Inclusive
We celebrate diversity and provide care that is sensitive to culture, language, identity and background. Every person is welcome here.
Our Approach to Care
Our care model is built on evidence, experience and respect for the whole person.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
An evidence-based, holistic framework for understanding and responding to behaviour in the context of a person's life history, needs and environment. PBS underpins our specialist support for learning disabilities, autism and mental health.
Holistic Health & Wellbeing
We consider physical health, mental wellbeing, nutrition, social inclusion and independence skills together — never in isolation. A person is more than a care plan.
Enabling, Not Doing
Our goal is always to support each person to do as much for themselves as possible. We build confidence and independence — not dependency — guided by what matters most to the individual.
Collaborative Care Planning
We involve the person, their family and any other professionals from the start. Care plans are co-produced, regularly reviewed and updated as needs change.
Our Credentials
Independently regulated, endorsed and verified so you can choose with confidence.
CQC Registered
Registered with the Care Quality Commission — the independent regulator of health and care services in England. Our CQC registration confirms we meet national standards for safety, effectiveness and quality.
View our CQC profile →Skills for Care Endorsed
Endorsed by Skills for Care, the strategic workforce development body for adult social care in England. This recognises the quality of our staff training and development programmes.
ICO Registered
Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. Your personal data and your loved one's details are handled safely and in full compliance with UK GDPR.
TrustedCare Verified
A verified member of TrustedCare, the independent review platform for UK care providers. Real reviews from real clients and families — read them on our TrustedCare profile.
Read our reviews →Every Marula Carer Is
We are selective in who we hire — because the quality of our care depends entirely on the quality of our team. Every Marula carer meets the following standards before they ever step through a client's door.
Faces Behind Our Care
Amara
Senior Support Worker — Dementia Specialist
Amara has 8 years of experience supporting people living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. She holds the Level 3 Award in Awareness of Dementia and is known for her exceptional patience and ability to connect with clients.
“I love seeing a person's face light up when they feel understood. That's what this work is about.”
Stefan
Live-in Care Specialist
Stefan has been providing live-in care across Birmingham for 6 years. His calm, professional approach and commitment to respecting the client's home and routine have made him one of our most trusted team members.
“Clients invite you into their home. I never forget how much trust that takes — and I honour it every day.”
Priya
Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Support Worker
Priya holds a Level 4 in Health and Social Care and has specialist experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions. She uses a PBS approach in all her work.
“People often just need someone who truly listens without judgement. I'm here for that.”
A Decade of Care in Birmingham
Marula Founded
Melody and Joyce establish Marula Support Services in Birmingham, driven by a shared vision for truly person-centred home care.
CQC Registration
Marula achieves full registration with the Care Quality Commission, meeting national standards for safety, effectiveness and quality.
Growing Our Team
Expanding our specialist services to include dedicated support for learning disabilities, autism and mental health — bringing PBS expertise in-house.
Skills for Care Endorsement
Recognised by Skills for Care for the quality of our workforce development and staff training programmes.
TrustedCare Verified
Joining TrustedCare as a verified provider, opening our track record to independent review and making it easy for families to read honest feedback.
New Chapter
Investing in a renewed digital presence to help more Birmingham families find the quality home care they deserve — and to grow our team of dedicated carers.
Serving Birmingham and Surrounding Areas
Want to Learn More? Book a Free Assessment.
Speak to Melody, Joyce or a member of our team — no pressure, no obligation. We would love to understand how we can help your family.
✓ Free assessment ✓ No obligation ✓ Response within 24 hours