I AM HERE TO HELP YOU

Companionship and Home Help Service for the elderly



My name is Sharon McDonnell-Devereux.

For the past 12 years I have been an Avon representative and a carer for my mum.

I love selling Avon products, but I also love the lovely customers it has allowed me to meet.

It’s not just about selling the products, but about the relationships I have built up over the years.

What I have come to realise over the years, is how I am the only person some people can see in a day and how they look forward to my visits.  We sit and chat, catch up with gossip and over the years they have become friends.

Loneliness and social isolation within the older generation is a growing issue. People are living longer than ever before and family members can often live far away. Lots of people can go days without seeing or speaking to another person.  Seeing the loneliness first hand and seeing how important my daily contact is to my mum, prompted me to set up this service. No one should be lonely and isolated in their own home.

With age , also comes decreased mobility, illness, injury etc which makes it difficult to do general household tasks and getting out and about. With that little extra help elderly people can remain in their own home with all the memories it holds.

Many services provide personal or domestic care with very little time spent chatting. My aim is to combine a home help service but also to be a companion, to be that someone to chat with, laugh with,  cry with, share interests with. So, whether its help around the home, companionship or both you require I am here to help.

Reasons people can feel lonely

• Live alone
• Loss of a loved one
• Lack of mobility
• No family nearby
• Poor health
• Lack of confidence
• Moved to a new area
• Sensory issues

Companionship is a basic human need. We are social creatures and need social interaction.

Why social interaction is important

• Gives a sense of belonging
• Keeps the mind active
• Releases happy hormones (Dopamine and Serotonin)
• Keeps you in touch with the outside world
• Laugh and cry together
• Share stories and opinions
• Celebrate good times
• Provide support during bad times
• Reduce stress
• Improve your self confidence and self-worth
• Reduces depression
• We all need laughter, smiles and friends

From my work, caring for my mum and research came the idea for this companionship service. To be there when no one else can. To bring a smile to somebody's day.

Tailored to each person (as we all have different needs) I will provide a free meet and greet service where we can see if we are right for each other and what you would like from the visit. This can also be with a family member so they are happy that their relative is in safe hands.  It could be:

• Natter over a cuppa
• Light duties e.g make bed, wash pots, make sandwich
• Help with phone calls
• Putting you in touch with local groups
• Going for a walk
• Playing cards, chess, games
• Shopping
• Basic gardening e.g tidying up
• Taking your dog for a walk
• Doing crosswords, puzzles
• Going to the library

Social isolation and loneliness can shorten your life, damage your physical and mental health and reduce your quality of life. It is just as important to be mentally active as it is physically active. It's never too late to learn new things and the more you use your mind the better it is for your overall well-being. As they say 'use it or lose it'!

If, for whatever reason you can go days/weeks without someone to talk to, share interests with, have a sense of connection with, for someone to be there when no one else can you then please get in touch today.

1 60 minute session £16

1 120 minutes session £30

Whether it is weekly, fortnightly, monthly or just ad hoc due to illness or injury, I will cater to your requirements.

COMING SOON!!

Armchair exercises

D.B.S checked 

Basic First Aid and Emergency First Aid with St John's Ambulance

References available on request from satisfied clients