So how do we value a Just Company companion? This is a question we are often asked, a question hard to answer. The question is what is the ‘price’ of companionship? Someone who brings happiness and friendship, is dependable, respectful and trustworthy. This companion brings relief from long periods of isolation, and boredom – a welcome break from being trapped in one place, with no break, sometimes for days and weeks at a time.
Why is it hard to answer? Because there are a multitude of variations. Firstly, companionship is what you pay for.
This is the feedback from a daughter who asked Just Company to visit her mum, who is in a residential home, twice a week for four hours: ‘I want to share something mum said to me the other day. She was very tearful that day, but she enjoyed opening some presents I had taken her. After she had opened them all, she said – ’ “Do you know what the very best present I have received is?” I said I couldn’t guess and she kept telling me she wasn’t sure she could tell me what it was. But when I pressed her, she told me that her very best Christmas present was Viv (Just Company companion), because she has transformed my life.” We both shed a tear!'
Another client wrote to say: ‘(My Just Company companion)…picked me up for my day out. I had chosen to visit the Lake District, which included a trip to Brantwood, then lunch followed by a lovely sail on the steam yacht gondola. It was a delightful day out. This was a birthday present from my son and will take some following next year. He (my son) was so pleased that he will be recommending Just Company’.
Secondly, the ethos of Just Company is to recruit only companions who are of a standard which reflects the experience and understanding they bring to the company. Reflecting the quality of our companions is evident in how much we pay them. We will not just pay the minimum wage or even living wage, we pay our companions a wage appropriate to their quality, their work experience and standard of practice expected. Just Company is not just about visiting someone and maybe doing jobs about the home and garden, it is about building meaningful relationships. It’s about breaking the isolation and loneliness often experienced by older people as they become less able to get out and about. It's about keeping mentally and/or physically active and enjoying life.
“I really look forward to you coming, to take me out and away from these four walls.”
The best way to get a sense of the costs and whether this is the right solution for you is to have an initial chat with us. So drop us an email or click the 'get in contact' button at the bottom of the page.
