Adults living in Gloucestershire who might benefit from a companionship service can get unique, tailored personal assistance-style plans from The Bespoke Life — a company that offers all the support needed to stay independent and active.
The Prestbury-based company provides a friendly, supportive assistance and companionship service throughout Cheltenham and the surrounding areas, helping people with everything from household admin; accompanying them to events and appointments; popping round for a cup of tea and a chat; participating in hobbies; to a trip out for lunch. Clients receive quality time from their companions, whether it's for an hour or the whole day.
Daisy Mahoney and Vicky Weaver, co-founders of The Bespoke Life, were working
together as colleagues in a social setting when they started
bouncing around ideas about setting up a service of their own, that would help a person uniquely, with services tailored to their own individual needs. They didn't want it to be 'just
another care service'.
Mahoney said: ‘It was Vicky's grandmother who was the inspiration behind The Bespoke Life. After her grandfather's passing, her grandmother was living independently at home, relying on the help of children and grandchildren. But their busy lives meant that not all of her wants could be met quite as quickly as she would have liked!’
‘Vicky’s family did look into a home care agency, but her granny refused. She didn’t want a carer and, to be fair to her, she didn’t need one. What she would have preferred was a 'companion'. Someone who she knew was coming on a set day, at a set time, who could help her with her to-do list. Help with changing the bedding; a shopping trip to her favourite department store; cleaning out the kitchen cupboards; company when the house was empty — someone spending quality time with her.’
With over 15 years of experience in the support industry between them, Mahoney, Weaver and The Bespoke Life team have all the knowledge and experience needed to provide the kind of friendly, personal assistant-style service that Gloucestershire was lacking.
Mahoney continued: ‘We offer companionship and support. Think of us as your friend,
with an additional 'personal assistant' element. A befriender, a companion; but
someone who can also assist you with everyday tasks.
‘It's about spending quality time with our clients — listening to them and engaging with them in a friendly, social way.
‘Working with the older members of our society is so rewarding and seeing the joy that we can bring to our clients makes it all worthwhile. Our clients become more than just clients — they are our friends and we look forward to seeing them each time we visit.’
The Bespoke Life's team of 'companions' can assist people with whatever they need, throughout the week, once a week or even once a month, assisting with anything that helps clients to stay independent and active for as long as possible — providing a support network for when family and friends aren't able to help out.
Companions are all fully trained in equality and diversity; health and safety; risk assessments; safeguarding adults; and moving and handling.
Clients typically book anything from a couple of hours a few times a week, to a longer day out once a month; with prices starting at £25 per hour.
To find out more about The Bespoke Life and the benefits of engaging a companion, call (01242) 431811 or visit thebespokelife.co.uk.
