UK Enterprise Awards 2021

309 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Best Independent Living Support Provider - Shropshire We all need a helping hand from time to time. Telford & Wrekin company Extra Help® provides affordable reliable assistance across the community making sure no one has to struggle on their own. How many times have we heard the phrase, “If only I had an extra pair of hands”? With our lives now busier than ever, it’s easy for things to get on top of us. Whether you don’t have time to do the chores, need a break from looking after the kids or worry that an elderly relative is feeling isolated, the pressure can start to build and something invariably has to give. But a little extra help might be all you need to get the balance back in your life. Extra Help® was originally set up to assist elderly people who were continuing to live independently but needed a helping hand. The company recognised that many people didn’t need full- time help but that having some assistance with domestic chores would mean they were able to stay in their own homes for longer. And a friendly smile and a chat might be all that’s needed to lift the spirits of someone that lives alone. Since its launch, the company has identified a demand for additional services. They now provide assistance to anyone that needs it. This includes new mums, working parents and busy professionals. Extra Help® can help with all types of domestic tasks, and nothing is too much trouble. Extra Help® was first launched in 2010 when founder and managing director, Claire Robinson, identified a gap in the market for a one-stop help shop. It’s such a popular concept that it now has many successful franchises and 33 offices throughout the UK. The company insists that every home-helper is reliable, trustworthy and experienced. Extra Help® interview, and DBS and reference-check every applicant, and the company is fully insured. Franchise owner, Julie Vernon, only opened the Telford & Wrekin branch of Extra Help® around a year ago, but the company is already making a positive impact on the community. Julie, who previously worked in a variety of areas including residential care, nurseries and special educational needs, is passionate about assisting the elderly population to enable them to stay in their own homes. Julie loves to spend time with her own family, getting outdoors with the family dog and gardening. She understands the importance of having free time to spend with loved ones to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. “We were nominated for this award by a local council official. We’re so pleased to have been selected. I’ve worked incredibly hard during the first year in business and definitely experienced many ups and downs but, essentially, I love the work we do to support our local community.” Extra Help® has a refreshingly broad view of their role. The wide range of services that the company offers, which includes cleaning, laundry, shopping, meal preparation, dog walking, gardening, companionship and escorts for appointments and events, means that customers have a single point of contact for all their needs. The charging structure is straightforward and affordable too. It’s designed so that customers are easily in control of their budget and have choices of frequency from one-off through to regular help. There’s no need to struggle in silence. If you could do with a helping hand, talk to Extra Help®. Contact: Julie Vernon Company: Extra-Help Telford & Wrekin Web Address: www.extra-help.co.uk Jun21649