What I do
What exactly do you do on a visit?
It depends entirely on what you need that day. It might be cooking a meal, doing a food shop, collecting a prescription, taking you to an appointment, doing some light tidying, watering the plants or sitting and having a cup of tea together. Sometimes it is all of those things. Sometimes it is just one. Every visit is led by what would be most helpful to you on that particular day.
Can you help me prepare before I go into hospital?
Yes. If you have a planned operation or procedure coming up, I can help you get organised beforehand so that coming home is as easy as possible. That might mean batch cooking and stocking your freezer, reorganising your kitchen so everything is within easy reach, or simply making sure your home is set up for recovery. Get in touch and we can talk through what would be most useful.
Will you do cleaning and ironing?
Light tidying and general housework are very much part of what I do. If the kitchen needs a wipe down, the floors need hoovering or the bathroom needs a quick clean, that is all part of keeping your home running while you recover. I am not a cleaning service, so if you need a dedicated cleaner I can help you arrange that, but day to day household tasks are absolutely fine. Ironing is the same. It is not what I am primarily there for but if it is what would make the biggest difference to you that day, I will do it.
Is there anything you won’t do?
I am not a medical professional so I cannot administer medication, carry out any clinical tasks or provide personal care such as washing or dressing. Beyond that I am pretty flexible. If something needs doing and it is within my power to do it, I will.
About me
Are you insured and DBS checked?
Yes. I hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance and I have an enhanced DBS certificate. I am also trained in safeguarding, first aid and food hygiene.
What areas do you cover?
I am based in Broadstairs and regularly cover the Thanet area, including Margate and Ramsgate. If you are in the surrounding areas of East Kent I would still love to hear from you. Get in touch and we can have a conversation about whether it would work.
Getting started
Can a family member arrange support on my behalf?
Absolutely. A lot of enquiries come from relatives who want to make sure their loved one is looked after. Get in touch and we will work out the best way to proceed together.
Can I change my package if my needs change?
Yes. If you find you need more or less support than you originally thought, we can adjust. Just get in touch and we will work something out.
Can I book a one-off visit rather than a package?
The packages are designed to provide consistent, regular support which tends to work best for recovery. That said, if your situation is genuinely a one-off, get in touch and we can have a conversation about what would work.
I am not sure if The Bridge is right for me. What should I do?
Get in touch. That is exactly what the initial conversation is for and there is no commitment involved.
Payment and cancellation
How does payment work?
Payment is required upfront before visits begin. Full details are on the terms page.
What if I need to cancel a visit?
I ask for 48 hours notice where possible. Full details including the carry over policy are on the terms page.
When I work and what it costs
When do you work?
My standard hours are Monday to Friday. I also work Saturday mornings up to 1pm. I understand that life does not always fit neatly into those hours. If you have an emergency outside of standard hours please get in touch and I will do everything I can to help.
Do you charge extra for out of hours visits?
Yes. The following rates apply outside of standard hours:
| Monday to Friday after 6pm | £35 per hour |
| Saturday morning up to 1pm | £30 per hour |
| Saturday afternoon, Sunday and bank holidays | £35 per hour, emergency only |
Is there an emergency call out fee?
For emergency situations where support is needed the same day or at very short notice, there is an additional fee of £25 on top of the hourly rate.