Close to Hand 

We were looking for a carer for my elderly mother and were lucky enough to find Close to Hand. We advertised the position on the website and were lucky enough to find a wonderful carer through the advert which has been a real lifeline both for us and for my mother. We would thoroughly recommend the service to anyone in a similar situation and it would always be our first port of call.

What a fantastic way to find help in the community. I posted an ad to get home help following the birth of my third child. A great concept and I would definitely recommend it.

I have had good contact from people requiring assistance and have been able to meet their needs and agree what is required.
Close to Hand has been a useful site to introduce new opportunities to me and potential clients. I would recommend joining up and adding your details so people can contact you.

I used Close to Hand for the first time last week. It was reassuring to find so many carers available who lived near my Dad.

We contacted a carer who replied within a few hours and arranged to meet a few days later.

All went well and the carer is now supporting my Dad for a couple of hours twice a week.

Great website and service, website very easy to negotiate, within a few hours we had lots of lovely people offering to help with what we needed, hugely recommend this invaluable service

I had a quick response to my advert and have now managed to meet up with my Mums new helper. So far so good, as Katrina seems caring and willing which has eased my Mum’s reluctance To accept that she really does need help around the house. My Mum cares for my Dad who has Dementia, so any help is most welcome. Thank you.

I did some shopping for Joan and her husband before Easter as they couldn’t get an online delivery slot. It was a pleasure to help despite the long queues!

Astrid was very obliging and pleasant. She did well when when she had to substitute a few things. She did a big shop willingly.

An excellent way to connect people with home helpers. It was easy to set up my profile and connect with my first client in Eastbourne who needed some companionship and light housework. Highly recommend people to sign up if they are looking for support in the area.

The whole process of signing up, placing an advert and getting a response was easy and quick.
I found a home help for my mum really quickly. Friendly, professional and flexible.
Highly recommended.

It was a good service and I would use it again.

As a carer who uses the message board to find clients who require my assistance, I can’t praise it enough! I have started to care for many fabulous clients who have or their families have put messages on the board. Having been sled employed as a carer now for 4 years I owe a lot to Close at Hand and can’t recommend them enough it’s a fabulous way to pair clients with appropriate carers and the clients are involved in choosing who they have which is brilliant for promoting person centred care

I am getting on a bit and have a disabled wife. Enquiring at Close to Hand was very straightforward and the responses were prompt. Within a week we had arranged a cleaner who has been magnificent. Willing to take on whatever was asked, very friendly and is flexible in arranging when she can come to help.

Great to know there are people who are ready to help in an emergency.We needed a quick replacement for our 95 year old mother when out regular fill-in carer suddenly couldn’t come. all no problem when so many are registered with close to hand. Thanks a Million.

Close to Hand is a brilliantly simple concept, it is easy to access and use and has been a Godsend to my mother in law who is 92. The lady who offered to help has been amazing and so, so kind.
I couldn't rate it more highly.

I have been with Close to Hand for some time offering various help to people in need.
I think it is a fantastic idea, bringing people together.
Initially it was directed more at the elderly but Lindsey extended it to help post operative/illness recovery and new parents.
I work with one lady gardening and another young parent ..helping her through pregnancy and helping once baby arrived.
I still work with both and can honestly say I enjoy it as much I am a help to them.
It’s a fabulous idea and I love being part of it as it’s growing

Through close to hand I have found regular, flexible, paid work, helping an elderly lady 3 mornings a week & a mum with a baby on an ad hoc basis. It’s rewarding & fun, and a great way to get involved with the local community.

Such a brilliant idea. Run very efficiently and I have met some nice people on this scheme.

Close To Hand is a great site which helps people to find reliable local help for their needs. It's also good for people who want to help others and you can choose the days and times to suit both parties. Clients can check out a possible helper by looking at their profiles on the site before making any decisions or meeting up. I have met two ladies via the site, and enjoy helping them with a range of tasks including shopping, hoovering, cleaning, etc. There are also some helpful blog-posts on the site. I like to feel I am making a difference to someone's day, but the ladies also make a difference to MY day, as it is so interesting chatting with them.

The site has been excellent for me as a case manager to be able to pair carers with clients.