What inspired you most about Seniors Helping Seniors elderly home care in Thames Valley?

Steve explains, “We were inspired by the Seniors Helping Seniors business model because of the struggle we had to find the right care for our own parents when they were first in need of support.

After my father passed away, my mother became increasingly isolated and lonely in her flat. She was desperate for regular companionship, someone that she could just talk with who would understand and be interested in her life. Even when we found a reliable company to work with, there was often a different carer each day which was confusing and a little unsettling for mum. Although they were great at the practical side of caring, there was often a generational gap that limited conversation and genuine companionship.

It is probably worth mentioning the incredible sense of guilt I felt personally about my mother’s situation. Rightly or wrongly, I often felt like I was the worst son in the world because I could not be there more regularly for her. The balancing act of family and work commitments, along with the hour journey time, meant there were simply not enough hours in the day, and I was often rushing around just to fit a visit to mum in. I have seen this same tension with so many of my friends as their own parents age.

So, when Lynn and I saw the Seniors Helping Seniors business model, we felt instinctively that it would have been the perfect solution to our own situation had it existed in our area at the time. It didn’t, so we decided to start it!

We have personal and professional guidance to offer families and, together with our amazing team of caregivers, we are thrilled to provide help and support in our area. Being part of this solution is a thrill for Lynn and myself”.

Before starting their Seniors Helping Seniors office, Steve taught in the independent sector. He ran the Business Studies department and was also a head of year. He led pupils through their Duke of Edinburgh award and organised world challenge adventure trips abroad.

Lynn worked with a specialist educational marketing company providing marketing services to further education colleges, schools, universities and training providers.

Both have always been involved in sport from a young age and were heavily into fitness and wellbeing. They travelled extensively, particularly throughout India, and also lived in Spain for several years. Now they just enjoy UK camping holidays with their dog Scooby! 

Music plays a big part in their social lives – Steve plays guitar in a band and Lynn plays the ukulele and her group and entertains at community events.

What elderly care services do you provide in Windsor, Maidenhead & Bracknell?

Peer-to-peer assistance allows seniors in need to receive elderly home care from someone who they can trust and relate to

Our carers offer many non-medical in-home services including but not limited to:

• Companionship
• Housework
• Garden help
• Transportation to Hospital, Doctors or anywhere else you need to visit
• Trips to local events
• Medical appointments
• House maintenance and small repairs
• Shopping
• Dementia care
• Meal preparation
• Mobility assistance
• Respite care (supporting regular carers)
• Overnight stays
• Pet care
• Holiday companionship
• and so much more…

Why are Seniors Helping Seniors services so important to you and your community?

The business provides an amazing solution by bringing two groups of seniors together – seniors who are experienced and have time, and other seniors who need support to carry on living safely and happily in their own home.

Steve explains “It was important to us to run an ethical business. We are excited to utilise all our experience whilst providing an important service to the community we love.

I was once told there were three guidelines for running a business:

• Does it work as a business? Ultimately it has to be successful, otherwise all you have is a hobby not a business!
• It should be moral and operate with integrity, providing an excellent product or service at a fair price. Would you be proud to tell your mum what you did for a living?
• And… at the end of it all, are you able to look back and say your business had meaning? Did we conduct ourselves properly and leave a positive mark on the world?

We answer ‘Yes’ to all three points!”