One of the things I love most about being a self-employed carer is the genuine connections I get to form with my clients. But here’s the thing — that wouldn’t be possible if I was just another face in a revolving door of carers. Too often in traditional care settings, clients are left wondering, “Who’s going to show up today?” It’s unsettling for them, and it’s a missed opportunity to build those important relationships that make caregiving truly special.
That’s why my care business has a simple but powerful rule: it’s always just me or my work buddy providing care. No strangers, no impersonal interactions, just two dedicated carers who know the clients inside and out. This approach gives us the ability to offer highly personalised care while creating a stable, trusting environment for the people we look after.
One story that always comes to mind when I talk about the importance of consistency involves a lovely lady named Mrs. Cook. When we first started working together, she had just come out of a care arrangement where she had different carers showing up every other day. She would have to explain her routine over and over again — the way she liked her tea, where she kept her knitting, how her husband used to sing a particular song every evening before bed. It left her feeling emotionally drained and more like a task to be completed than a person cared for.
But when I started working with her regularly, things changed. She didn’t have to repeat herself or wonder if I’d remember what time she liked her breakfast. The little things, like her preference for Earl Grey with a dash of milk or her habit of reading a chapter of her favorite book after lunch, became natural parts of our routine. We built trust, and over time, that consistency made a huge difference to her well-being.
The beauty of providing care this way is that it feels less like running through a checklist and more like creating a rhythm that works for the person in front of me. With the continuity of care that my work buddy and I provide, we’re not just attending to immediate needs — we’re creating a space where our clients feel seen, heard, and understood. And isn’t that what care should be?
So, if you’re thinking about what makes self-employed care so unique, remember this: it’s not just about doing a job. It’s about building relationships that enhance lives. And the consistency of knowing it’s always us — me or my buddy — is what allows us to do just that.
Join the movement of carers who know that true care is more than just tasks — it’s about connection.
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