New "business"

melkei

Hi, I'm a mum with a 1 year old. Just wondering what your thoughts are re a "business" idea I have.
Families are so hard pushed with time nowadays so was wondering whether to offer a service of visiting housebound people or taking people out to do shopping, cuppas, hospital appointments etc? Just so they get some company and are'nt so reliant on family. I know there are volunteers but they're rather thin on the ground
thoughts and views please?

InsideInsurance

So a basic carer then?

As far as I was aware they already existed but how saturated the market is and the level of awareness that people may have of what services are available is another matter

quinechinoise

Sounds vaguely like a "mother's help" for old people. I think it's the sort of thing that would only work via word-of-mouth recommendations.

sand2880

I would check with the local authority as to what qualifications, training, regulations and registration you may need before starting such a business.

It could require insurance, crb checks and qualifications.

peatles_2

I had been thinking of maybe setting up some sort of house check service for people away who on holiday etc who don't need a full time sitter but want house checked, mail moved, plants watered, bins put out etc not sure how to go about this as it needs to be discreet, did it for my sis in law, her mum, and sis when they were all in US at family wedding.

melkei

peatles wrote: »

I had been thinking of maybe setting up some sort of house check service for people away who on holiday etc who don't need a full time sitter but want house checked, mail moved, plants watered, bins put out etc not sure how to go about this as it needs to be discreet, did it for my sis in law, her mum, and sis when they were all in US at family wedding.

wondered about that also inc small pets sitting
CRB I'm fine with cos am actually a foster carer and youth worker, didn't think about insurance and have my first Aid
Thanks for your replies

malcumms7898

peatles wrote: »

I had been thinking of maybe setting up some sort of house check service for people away who on holiday etc who don't need a full time sitter but want house checked, mail moved, plants watered, bins put out etc not sure how to go about this as it needs to be discreet, did it for my sis in law, her mum, and sis when they were all in US at family wedding.

I saw an advert for this sort of service in a magazine recently, so I think it might be feasible. Personally, I am not sure I would be too keen on some strangers rummaging around my home. But I guess there must be a market for it.

As for the OP, I agree you will probably need to do some sort of CRB check and maybe some sort of accreditation. There might be quite a bit of demand for this service but you could potentially encounter a lot of problems doing it.

Ynayesta

that's essentially my job, but with different criteria. OP, please have a good search around for companies that already do this, as most of them are franchises and if you buy into one to manage an area you get far more security, and you are not then competing with that company. make sense?

good luck.

ckbooks

I know it' s totally different to your idea, but have you thought about becoming an Usborne books organiser? I started to do it when I had my little boy and it's going really well - and it fits in with having children!