Business ideasServices
Start a companionship business.
Many older people live alone and their families live far away. You visit, chat, run errands and help with phones and tablets. Your team finds the families and books the visits.
- Where
- Older people’s homes near you
- Sells
- To older people and their families
- Busiest
- All year, and the winter months
- You do
- Visit and help
- Your team
- Website, bookings, updates for families, reviews, email
Why it works
The population is getting older, and nearly two in three people over 50 in the UK rate the care system as fair or poor. Families look for someone friendly and reliable for the everyday things that aren’t medical care.
What you need to start
- A background check
- Insurance
- References
- A clear list of what you do and don’t do
- A way to update families after each visit
- A car or good local transport
Companionship isn’t personal care. Help with washing, dressing or medicine needs registration with the care regulator, so stay clear of it unless you’re registered.
Who does what
You
- Meet each person and family
- Do the visits
- Send a short note to the family
- Decide in your Review
Your team
- Name, logo and look
- The website and bookings
- Posts and reviews
- Emails and reminders
A sample launch plan
- Day 1You send one line about your companionship visits.
- Week 1You pick a name and a look from three.
- Week 2Bookings open for weekly visits.
- Week 4Your first Review: what sold, and what to try next.
Things to watch
Where care begins.Say plainly what you don’t do, and suggest a registered carer when it’s needed.
Trust.Show your checks, your real name and photo, and reviews from families.
Your one line could be
Change it to your own words. That is all your team needs to begin.