To think an adult nanny service would be a great idea

[GoldfishParade]

Hear me out. When I was suffering epic panic attacks and moving into my own flat after a nervous breakdown, I would have loved to be able to call and hire out someone as a kind of "babysitter" in the evenings when my panic attacks would get the worst. You cant always ask friends to stay over, they have shit they need to be getting on with. Just someone who would have watched telly or read or whatever whilst I went to sleep

On the relationships board i read so many horrible stories of women who are terrified but need to leave their partners. I just think how great would it be if they could call this service and someone could come around and basically hand hold, help them back a bag, help them get on a bus or whatever.

I'm sure there are loads of other areas where this kind of thing would be really useful (feel free to add if you have ideas).

Do you see where I'm coming from? I just think it would be great and there would be so many uses!

Imagine you're single and really ill. You could hire them to come around, make you some soup, bring you some tea and stuff.

This is partly where friends and family come in, but there are lots of reasons why you might not want to impose on their time. Embarrassment, not wanting to impose, moved to a new area, etc.

Ive thought of being a granny nanny - a bit like an au pair but obviously Im much older! Id enjoy the school run and odd pick up if the child isn't well at school (just so they can be home in their own bed rather than waiting round in school corridors for parents to get their from work. Bit of staying in waiting for parcels or taking stuff to the post office for busy parents

where do I advertise...?

You would only need a needs assessment if you are expecting someone else to pay for it.

Otherwise care companies are businesses if you want support with something and are willing to pay, ask for it.

And yes, the problem is the number of vulnerable people who need this and cant pay.

Your local CVS and Age UK probably run befriender services, they do in my locality.

I get what your saying, I think the overall tone of idea sounds lovely, as someone with severe long term mental health issues and physical conditions I would benefit massively from a dedicated person helping me in certain areas to take the acute distress and difficulty out of certain aspects of everyday tasks that most people don't even think about.
but I think a major flaw is that part of the reason nannying works is they are in charge even though they are employed by the family, from the children's perspective the nanny is an adult who is in charge. Safe and loving but in charge.

That would never be possible with an adult client because as as soon as the nanny tried to do the parts of the job that the client needed but didn't want to do (or couldn't face) for example eat regularly and healthily or shower in the middle of a depressive episode etc the adult client would pull rank.
The nanny would always be having to back down or threaten to leave etc so the dynamic of the caring safe support would gradually erode.

Yeah this already exists.. I used to be a carer and would do private calls to people who literally just wanted companionship or for me to just be in the house. Didn't do overnights in this way but can't see why it would have been an issue.

I have a chronic illness which means I'm often unable to leave the house and I've been thinking it would be brilliant if there was a charity who provided this kind of support. As others have mentioned, I wouldn't be able to afford a paid service, so a charity would be great.

Quite often, I would just like someone to have a little chat with or make a sandwich for me. I have friends, but I don't like to burden them, especially as it's always the same ones who offer to help. During lockdown, I was part of a neighbourhood group where members of the community brought me food and I felt really supported.

Yes you could pay for a private carer or companion. They exist.
Or this is the type of thing that volunteers do via local churches etc or through charities. This is out there already.

All of these things would be useful.

However, the cost of safeguarding, DBS, security precautions and realistic pay for the number of hours involved is what makes it unfeasible.

There are a few students who make pocket-money doing exactly that. No medical knowledge or anything, just "adult-sitting overnight. When I say pocket-money, I only mean it's not a regular salary.

Also, from my experience of living with a disability and getting to know others in the same position, I would say that although we're often physically not very capable, we would really like to give something back to those willing enough to help us. So perhaps some kind of skills swap could be good?

I'd love this. A mother's help / carer / cleaner would be great.

I’d love something like this for if I’m not well, who doesn’t want to feel looked after lol. But I could just hire a cleaner and a babysitter for the kids or something, well I personally can’t because with one kid you need to train up to care for them but yeah. I do worry (I have anxiety and depression) if it would become a crutch as sorts, for me personally, having to do things has helped but I can easily slip into relying on others again.

@GreatMindsThinkAlike a skills swap is lovely idea.

@Oriflamme

Sort of like a befriender? I know a local organisation that does a similar sort of thing for the elderly but I love the idea of a handholder for all ages! Mary Poppins for grown ups 😄

My local church has a befriending service which is run by volunteers.

It's a really good idea and there is definitely a need/demand for it. You'd probably need to assess needs first to ensure that the needs were not beyond what the service was designed for, but I've been in situations where family don't answer the phone as they're busy and I literally just want someone to talk to. I know the Samaritans are there but they're listening only so it's akin to talking to the wall imo. Someone to sit with you for a while would be great. Like deliveroo or ubereats, they could just come out for an hour on mopeds or something haha.

I think these services do exist but are incorporated into rather posh job titles such as Concierge Services.

I think there is a gap in the market at a lower level for someone like this, working for a range of clients in their local areas as and when.

Thanks @BrummyMum1 😊 I'm physically disabled, but still fairly able mentally. So someone could bring make me a sandwich and I could teach them French. Or I love listening to people's problems as an informal counselor type person! As a disabled person, it would be great to feel useful in some way. We're so used to being excluded from society, but we do have skills we can offer.

Great idea. But as a business woman I will say that your target market doesn't have money to pay for it. It would £10 an hour tops and a lot of piecemeal work and travelling.

I think there is a gap in the market at a lower level for someone like this, working for a range of clients in their local areas as and when.

There's really not. Care agencies are everywhere, and can provide everything talked about on this thread.

Such a good idea! When I had just had my twins I hired a "mothers help" type woman, initially to help me with the babies, but as time went on she became such a support for me it what turned out to be a difficult time, she was an inspiration and a friend to talk to when all my other friends and family were at work. I dont think I could have coped on my own if she hadn't been there, and I'm not just referring to childcare help - making tea, pottering around, bringing homemade soup and telling me everything would be Ok.

I was thinking something similar a while back. I have ADHD and would love a concierge service I'm w block of flats for adhds and the concierge would remind you of dentist appointments, doctors, have a meeting with you once a week and go through general organising. Organise dinner for you sometimes etc. It's really hard to adult sometimes!!

My mum has a lodger for this very reason

@ulanbatorismynextstop Ask for a referral to the occupational therapy/ reablement team. This is exactly what they do.

This sounds like an amazing idea but in reality, You would need training to be there for someone with mental health issues, helping someone pack and leave a relationship could be dangerous and caring for a sick person could make you sick 😂 X

Carers, support workers, companions.

Have a look in the classified section of The Lady https://jobs.lady.co.uk/jobs/keyword/+companion

or http://www.universalaunts.co.uk

People say 'why save for your old age' if you can get care provided if you need it. The benefit of having being able to pay means no assessment hoops to jump through.