I am an 86-year-old widower. My wife died a year and a half ago. I have three adult children. My son lives in Camden, while my two daughters live quite nearby in Harpenden. However they are all in work or otherwise occupied during the week, so I tend to see them only at weekends. That’s why N4G is so vital for me during the week. To be honest, I’m not very brilliant at looking after myself and my mobility is rather restricted. For example, I can’t walk very far and with very wobbly knees I don’t like to risk driving, so I either get one of my two daughters or a friend to ferry me to the likes of medical appointments or, failing that, I have to take a taxi.

In the light of all the above the Nannies are brilliant in that, first of all, they take a big load of responsibility off my children. Brilliant at cups of tea and breakfast in bed in the mornings, brilliant at doing the washing and ironing, brilliant at keeping me and the house in order and brilliant at doing the little bit of shopping that I need. I suppose I should also add that they are also brilliant at pouring the odd glass of red wine.

All in all, they are brilliant and I couldn’t do without them. Keep up the good work!.”

When our dad died 3 years ago, our mum (87 and with significant memory issues) was left on her own in the house in Wheathampstead she (they) had lived in for the past 30 years. She didn’t want to leave the house that she was so familiar with: but certainly needed some support, with her two children living busy lives in the north west of England.

She wouldn’t initially accept any help: but after she had a fall, she needed someone to take her to the nurse appointments in Harpenden – Nannies for Grannies became involved and (somewhat to our surprise, given mum’s wariness of new people she didn’t know) she was immediately open to the support the staff provided. This was no doubt due to the skills of N4G people in gaining her confidence and establishing a relationship of trust: our mum could see that what was being offered was helpful.

Companionship visits to the house continued after the medical issues were resolved: and (again with some breath-holding on our part) mum has accepted these visits, taking them in her stride and – we think – appreciating them. The support has mostly consisted of simple things: talking to her in the house over a cup of tea, having a look at the garden or going for little walks with her, reminding her about what the nurse has said – as well as help with problem-solving for particular things (e.g. if milk has run out).

But whatever form it’s taken, N4G staff have consistently dealt with our mum with exemplary sensitivity and respect – indeed, without this, our independent and strong-willed mother wouldn’t have accepted the support.

A further benefit for us children has been N4G alerting us to particular issues that arise (a recent example was the kitchen light going): so appreciated when we live the distance we do, without seeing our mum continuously.

More widely, the communication from N4G has been very good. We’re very grateful for this service: we’d recommend it to everyone.

My Mum Jean has been in a Care Home now for nearly two years and during that time we have been using the services of Nannies 4 Grannies on a regular basis – frankly they have been a Godsend. The company was recommended to us by a friend and we haven’t looked back since.

We have three visits per week during which time they regularly take Mum out to a whole variety of Harpenden’s coffee shops. They also take her shopping into Boots and Sainsburys and help her odds and ends and small purchases. Most visits are for a couple of hours each time and are a real boost for Mum, whilst her mobility has decreased – she’s 96! her enthusiasm for these visits and a chance to ‘get out’ never waivers.

Additionally, the Nannies are happy to accompany Mum locally to the doctors and dentist and to take her to Luton & Dunstable hospital for regular eye appointments.

There are a number of different Nannies who visit, each of them striking up a good relationship with Mum very quickly. In my opinion all of the ladies are hardworking, kind and totally trustworthy. Behind the scenes the back-office work well to accommodate changing itineraries, holiday cover and short notice requests for additional visits – they are always happy to help, and importantly, to do their very best to go that extra mile.

SOS : call Nannies 4 Grannies

When our father passed away it impacted all of the family but particularly our mother who suddenly found herself on her own with one daughter nearby but her sons living abroad.

Whilst doing our best to support our Mother in her grief, we also had to think about the future which included a wide spectrum of choices, including downsizing a home, care services and residential options.

Mum very much wanted to stay in the family home and so we all agreed the best option was to find home support. We contacted a number of websites and received lots of glossy brochures and spam which really didn’t fill us with confidence about her care needs. Then Nannies 4 Grannies were recommended and after some resistance, our mother was “kidnapped” to go to meet the team .

After that initial meeting, which was very reassuring, we agreed to start a trial period.  Nannies 4 Grannies have been a god send and  come to the rescue on a number of occasions. The attention and care from both the office and the carers has been outstanding. Our mother has two visits a week and the best thing about it is that she looks forward to those visits. Apart from trips to town to help do bits and pieces, assisting with house chores and keeping a general track of well being, the best thing for my mother is cups of tea and companionship.

For that we are forever grateful. Thank you, Nannies 4 Grannies.

My Mum has dementia and some mobility issues and has lived alone since my Dad died 3 years ago. Nannies for Grannies was recommended to us by a friend of Mum’s and the lovely ladies from N4G have now been visiting Mum twice a day five days a week since Dad died.

They do Mum’s shopping and cleaning, make sure she takes her medication and make her lunch and supper but the most important thing they’ve given mum is companionship. All the carers are very friendly and helpful and after a slightly reluctant start Mum now really enjoys their visits and loves chatting to them! Having dementia and living alone we believe it’s really important for Mum to have some conversation and companionship every day.

Knowing that N4G are caring for Mum so well has taken a great deal of pressure off myself and my siblings and given us peace of mind that mum is receiving excellent care when we can’t be there for her. We have also found that N4G are very good at communicating and provide a weekly client diary and are quick to pass on any worries they have after a visit.

My mother has become more dependent over recent years but has always been reluctant to have anyone but family visiting for support. I started using Nannies 4 Grannies when I was on holiday and therefore had the reassurance that Mum was having a daily visit to assist her. When I had surgery recently, I started daily visits for an hour or an hour and half per day. Now that I have recovered, I have decided to continue with the visits 6 days per week. I find it helpful to share my mother’s care a bit. Although I still visit daily, I am no longer tied to a particular time.

The nannies I have met are all extremely kind and professional. If there are any issues I am contacted by the team. My mother has become used to the visits and accepts them now without a problem. I am very grateful for the help Nannies 4 Grannies gives to us.

Thanks for all the help and support you give to my mother.

We first engaged Nannies 4 Grannies to visit my elderly Dad when we went on holiday last year. He felt safe and reassured knowing that someone would be coming to visit him and help him with his shopping when we were away. He loved his visits and the chats he had with the friendly and helpful ’nannies’.

So much so that he has continued to have a weekly visit. During this time, he goes shopping and for a coffee with whoever is visiting him. He has found that by doing his own shopping again, it gives him a greater feeling of independence. Nannies 4 Grannies have been a great addition to Dad’s daily life.

I’m a very elderly widow, and I live alone. I have Parkinson’s and a badly distorted foot so my mobility is limited. But I am very fortunate, I have three fantastic daughters, two splendid grandsons, a house, a garden and a pleasant town to live in. I was also fortunate to have married a really good man and have an interesting and worthwhile career. So no complaints!

However, the daughters got on cahoots – Mum really should have some support etc. none of them live nearby, the eldest a busy doctor at a London hospital, the second living in Scotland, and the youngest a musician who works all over the place, concerts, teaching, presenting music in care homes!

I knew of Nannies 4 Grannies from visiting a friend who sadly has some dementia. The lady with her, making the coffee, being so supportive was from N4G. I already knew it was a local company not some huge conglomerate, so I was happy to get in touch to find out if some support was possible.

Like many old , I sadly gave up my car , knowing through clenched teeth that it was the right decision. I used to use the bus quite happily but my poor mobility has curtailed this. So I have a one hour and a two hour slot from the really lovely folk from N4G . In the short time, they make up my bed. I can strip it but can’t make it now. A real help. The longer slot allows for local shopping by car if necessary, sometimes a visit for physio, but also with both, time to have such pleasant company.

I feel I have new friends who will look out for me, get other help if I need it. Obviously I may need to ask to increase my hours as the tiresome Parkinson’s gets more pronounced. If so, I feel confident that further support will be available. It was a good decision to approach Nannies 4 Grannies.