This day was all about raking. Raking is not usually a life changing activity but I have one client who lives in a bungalow surrounded by grass that gets quite long before it gets cut by the housing association. The cut grass is left to dry and drift about in the wind. This probably wouldn’t usually be a problem but she finds that if she leaves either front or back door open, the grass drifts in and for someone with mobility issues, this can be hard to sort out and makes the difference between being able to open the doors for some fresh air and interaction with the neighbours, or not.

So one sunny day I set to work to clear up all the grass so that it wouldn’t happen again. It was harder work than I thought but during the time I was out there I met several neighbours who all stopped for a chat, and it was rewarding to see the difference it made.

My lady who lives here has been very hesitant to leave the house since the onset of Covid and rarely ventures out but she came out to talk to me while I raked. She stood in the sunshine for the first time in ages and was delighted with what I had done and what it would mean to her.

Today was decluttering and cleaning in preparation for some home improvements. It can be hard to know where to start. Sometimes we don't see the things that are in front of us and think that because they have been there for some time, they always have to be there. A new person can be helpful just to ask, "Do you often use that?", and one by one things become more manageable.

Then the space becomes more manageable and more easy to clean. A clean and tidy environment can be beneficial to our mental and physical health. Today was an important step towards that.

"Thank you for listening to me yesterday and for the work you did. So motivating and what a joy to come down to a clean and tidy kitchen this morning."

I am finding that these are the two things that many people need. Firstly someone to genuinely listen to their troubles. Secondly, some emotional and practical support and a plan to make things manageable.

They need someone who will listen non judgementally to what has happened without trying to minimise the issues or offer advice. It can be an important part of moving on to be able to acknowledge the stress that has happened or the pain that they are in.

It is very hard to ask for help for anyone of any age. I try to handle this as delicately as possible in every situation. I try to assess the most pressing needs, the support they have already and how I can help.

Then I ask, "What can I do for you today that would help most?".

Before and after. Simple tasks like weeding can be challenging mentally or physically. For some it's hard to bend down and for others it's an overwhelming task that is impossible to start.

Today we started.

One hour of support can make a big difference, both practically and emotionally

The best thing that happened to me this week is that one of my clients grew a parsley plant from a seed! What a wonderful surprise. I popped in, as I do every other week, to see how he was and to help him with a few things and when it was time to go he told me that he had grown this plant for me. Honestly, that warms my heart so much.

Hook Home Help is helping people in Hook to live more happily and independently. Different people need different things and this week one lady just wanted someone to play a board game with her so that's what we did. The lady I was helping chose the game so she was in charge of setting it up and explaining it to me. As we went along, she was helping me to understand the rules almost by playing for me as well as her. It was a lovely change in our usual dynamic that this time she was helping me to learn the ropes, rather than me helping her with things that she can no longer do for herself.

Recently Hook Home Help has helped someone to have their first haircut in a year. This was partly due to a long stay in hospital and then all the appointments and busyness that follow that sort of thing. It was also partly due to the stress and anxiety that can come with going somewhere new and finding a new hairdresser when the person who you have gone to for many years has retired or moved away. Many of us have been here at some point but it is more difficult to manage when you are living with increased levels of anxiety to start with.

“In a very short time Penny has become a friend rather than a 'helper/carer to my Mum. She's upbeat and friendly, willing to help, listen, and offer support and assistance in any way she can and extremely flexible with her time and planning.

Communication with the family is also brilliant, so much more than the regular 'agencies'. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone.”

For the past few months I have been honoured to be part of this family’s lives. The mum lived in Hook and the son a long drive away. He found my website and called to explain the situation. His mum was struggling with the death of her husband and the responsibility of living alone. He was visiting regularly but looking for some backup for the weeks that he couldn’t get up here. We all met together the next time he was in Hook to have a chat about what they needed and how I could help. Read more here…

Walking through graveyards it is normal to feel a range of emotions, from sorrow for those we have lost and for those who have recently lost people close to them, and we might wonder about all the lives from hundreds of years ago and all the stories that have been lost along the way, or may some that are still remembered. Sometimes we might feel a sense of peace or gratitiude and, maybe a renewed sense of perspective, as we are reminded that life is short and our time here is precious. This can be a valuable reminder to us at any age. We often live in denial of death but each time we are brought closer to it, it can help us to remember how valuable time is and how important those close to us are. This can help us to live slightly happier and maybe more meaningful lives…

Today I took someone to a garden centre. Post hip replacement, walking with two crutches makes a lot of things harder. We stopped off to deliver a letter which involved uneven ground and some steps and then went off to the garden centre to research plants for the garden. The sun was shining and the sky was blue and it was a great day to be out. She wouldn't have had the confidence to get out on the crutches without some company…

I have one client who relies on me for every trip to tescos and the doctors and the dentist. Not just for the transport for the organising, the remembering and moral support. She doesn't like to talk to people who she doesn't know so I am largely in charge of doing the talking and reassurance in general. Anxiety isn't always easily understood or tolerated but we have worked together over the last few months to make life a bit easier for her. This has been through creating regular routines and talking about mindfulness and anti anxiety techniques. Small changes can make a big difference. A lot of things that seemed impossible six months ago are possible now. This week she gave me some daffodils to say thank you and that was lovely

My certificate in the Principles of Care Planning has just arrived. I took this qualification last year to make sure that I was aware of the best practice around caring for people.

It was interesting to see how care planning has changed over the years since I started supporting people and to learn new ways of supporting people to have more control over their lives and how to bring about the postive change that is needed to help people to stay living independently but also happily and confidently.

I am delighted to have been featured in this month's Hartley Wintney, Hook & Villages magazine. Companionship care is about having someone to talk to and to support you in any daily activities where it would be helpful to have someone at your side. This might be a medical appointment or just getting out about. Maybe some help with the shopping or sorting out your house or garden. Companionship care can include almost anything that isn't medical or personal care. Everyone has slightly different needs and I am happy to have a chat with you first so you can get to me before you make any decisions. I am happy to be able to help in any way that makes life a bit easier or a bit happier

It seems that it can be useful to have a non family member to talk to sometimes. It also seems useful to the family to have someone on hand to be their local backup when they live some distance away.

Today I was presented with a choice of ingredients and decided to make pasta bake with bacon and tomatoes with cheese on top. While I was cooking she told me stories from her youth. She made me laugh and nearly cry. I love hearing the stories of people's long lives.

Sometimes there is a part of our house that gets designated as “The place to put stuff”. Sometimes the stuff starts to pile up until it becomes a bit overwhelming. I think we have all been here to some extent. The time when the pile of filing piles up so high that there has to be another pile. Or maybe the laundry doesn’t get put away until it is all out of season so it just stays there. Or the airing cupboard becomes the place to put the things that no one wants but no one wants to throw away. Whatever the reason, sometimes things don’t get put away and seem to attract other things that don’t get put away and then it becomes a bit much.

Sometimes we just need some support to help to get on top of things, a bit of support can go a long way towards getting things done and making things easier and happier.

Various aspects of medical appointments can be challenging. This week Hook Home Help has been providing moral support and transport for blood tests and other medical appointments.

Sometimes it is easier to have someone to book appointments for you and you might like someone to take you there.

Sometimes it's nice to have someone who will stay with you and help you find face masks and to support you to answer the questions or remind you of what you wanted to ask.