30 May 2025
After relocating 3,000 miles from Bermuda to Plymouth three years ago to reconnect with their family roots, business and life partners Roderick ‘Roddy’ Petty and Dawn Zuill discovered a significant gap in local in-home care services. Inspired to make a positive difference, they have now launched Visiting Angels Plymouth — a compassionate team dedicated to supporting people in their own homes.
Operating from their office in Plymouth’s historic Barbican, alongside Plymouth native and Registered Care Manager Tara Williams, Roddy and Dawn are eager to bring their extensive care expertise to the area. They aim to improve the quality of life for both caregivers and clients through empathy-driven, personalized support.
From Bermuda to Plymouth
In Bermuda, Roddy and Dawn ran Atlantic Caregiving for over 16 years, a business that provided empathetic, high-quality care to the island’s elderly population. Their hands-on experience taught them the value of treating people as individuals rather than just numbers.
The couple’s journey to Plymouth began when Dawn’s son enrolled at Plymouth University, sparking their desire to explore their heritage. “Plymouth felt like home immediately,” said Roddy. “The Barbican’s close-knit community reminded us of island life in Bermuda — warm, welcoming, and full of opportunity. We saw a chance to bring fresh, compassionate care to this city.”
A Carer-Centric Vision
Visiting Angels Plymouth stands out with its unique focus on carers as much as clients. Recognizing the dedication of caregivers, the company offers financial incentives and career development opportunities to ensure they feel valued — tackling a common industry problem where carers are often overlooked.
Dawn, with 25 years of experience in recruitment, has seen the growing need for skilled carers firsthand. “Our mission has always been about making a difference,” she explains. “Supporting carers is crucial because neglecting them causes talented people to leave the profession. We want to change that.”
Expanding Support to Rural Communities
Together with Tara Williams, who brings vital local knowledge, the team is starting their outreach by focusing on smaller, rural villages around Plymouth, such as Ivybridge and Tavistock. Their goal is to deliver the same high standards of care to these often underserved areas while boosting local employment opportunities.
Dawn emphasizes, “Rural communities deserve quality care too. By taking good care of our carers, we ensure that everyone receives the attention and support they need.”
