Services offered
HOME HELP & COMPANIONSHIP
Are you an older person needing a little extra support? Would you value assistance with daily errands and keeping your home in good order, or a trustworthy driver to take you to appointments? Perhaps you find the world of technology daunting and need guidance making online transactions or navigating phone apps? Whatever it might be, I offer reliable support tailored to your needs – always alongside tea and good conversation.
In-person consultation free of charge before the first appointment.
- £20 p/hr weekdays
- £22 p/hr weekends
- 2.5 hr minimum
MOTHER’S HELP/P.A.
Help for busy mums and those needing administrative assistance. I specialise in organising and down-sizing, with well honed expertise in mess blitzing and de-cluttering!
In-person or phone consultation free of charge before the first appointment.
- £20 p/hr weekdays
- £22 p/hr weekends
- 2.5 hr minimum
HOUSE & PET SITTING
Leave home with peace of mind, knowing your property is occupied, secure and looked after. Your plants will be watered, your post collected, your bins taken out. Resident animals will be lovingly cared for according to their preferred routines.
In-person consultation free of charge at your home before the first sit.
Rates on enquiry – dependent on number of animals and level of care required. Discounts for longer stays.
CHILDCARE & BABYSITTING
Occasional, ad hoc or emergency childcare for ages 4+, maximum 2 children. Playful, creative and responsible. Shared or sole charge in the child’s home environment. This can combined with other ‘nannying’ duties like light housekeeping or dog walking.
In-person or phone consultation free of charge before the first appointment.
- £20 p/hr weekdays
- £22 p/hr weekends
- £15 p/hr after 8pm (or bedtime, if earlier)
- Flat rates negotiable for substantial babysitting hours
DROP IN PET VISITS
Drop-in home visits local to Marlborough, Pewsey and surrounding villages. For animals needing care, company or feeding while you are out.
In-person consultation free of charge at your home before the first appointment. .
- £18 for 30 mins
- £24 for 60 mins
- Longer appointments on enquiry
DOG WALKING
Dog walking local to Marlborough, Pewsey and surrounding villages. Every dog is given dedicated attention and is walked from their doorstep in a familiar environment. Never pack walk walking! A maximum of two dogs per client.
In-person consultation free of charge at your home before the first appointment.
Rates for 1 or 2 dogs:
- £18/£24 for 30 mins
- £24/£28 for 60 mins
About Helena
‘Capable Hands’ is a personalised, local service that has evolved through more than two decades of experience in the areas of home-help, childcare and house & pet sitting. This has been complimented by my earlier foundations in education, which included running workshops for children, lecturing at a university and assisting at a forest kindergarten. For a number of years I have also been a ‘befriender’ to women in crisis through a Christian charity.
My current client base ranges widely, from age 5 to age 92! I value being trusted to enter the intimacy of a home environment and respond to the needs of those I work with as they arise. Offering good company and engaging conversation is often an important part of the equation. Ensuring that older people have the support they need, that children are safe and engaged, that the household is well-ordered and that the stress of pressing tasks has been relieved is work I find deeply satisfying. Equally, I treasure the natural world and the animal kingdom, and it is a blessing to spend time tending to much loved animals or walking in the Wiltshire countryside with canine companionship.
Being self-employed and entirely independent, I have a good degree of flexibility. I am organised, reliable and meticulous in my approach, and I often fill in the gaps when ad hoc support is required at short notice. I have an enhanced DBS (criminal records check), as well as a Paediatric First Aid Certificate.
I operate in the areas of Marlborough, Pewsey and the surrounding Wiltshire villages. My profile on childcare.co.uk can be seen at the link below.
TESTIMONIALS
"Helena’s dedication to her work and her ability to build trust and rapport with families make her an invaluable asset in any childcare or social work setting."
– Jinny T.
"Helena has been helping with our 4 year old for about 3 months and has developed a wonderful relationship with him. She is kind, gentle and intuitive to his needs. She is punctual, very organised and easy to communicate with and I would highly recommend her for any job!"
– Georgie S.
"Helena is a perfect person to look after your animals and leave you with peace of mind to enjoy your holiday or weekend event. We have 3 energetic dogs, 5 chickens and a couple of horses. Helena arrived with plenty of hand-over time, then quietly made friends with the animals as we packed up the car. Whilst away we were kept up to date with reassuring, friendly messages/photos of how everyone was getting on as usual. Helena is calm and easily picks up all the feed times and quirks relating to the different pet requirements. I would certainly recommend her services."
– Claire D.
"Helena house-sat for us, looking after our two cats and also our six alpacas! Her care for all concerned was meticulous and the cats certainly missed her when she left. The house was spotless upon our return. We can highly recommend her."
– Gail M.
"Helena did a really excellent job of looking after our home and our cat for an extended period whilst we were out the country. Prior to the sit she asked all the right questions and was really diligent in understanding the needs of our both our cat, and our home. She kept in regular contact, gave regular updates and we came back to a house that was in impeccable condition. We have subsequently reached back out to Helena to see if she would be willing to sit again for us, and that's about the best testimonial I think it's possible to give."
– James B.
Contact Form
Please get in touch here if you would like to enquire about my services or discuss your needs. I offer free consultations in person or by phone before any commitments are made.
CAPABLE HANDS 