Helping Hands Home Care (Cramlington)

Value for money is OK. Care seems expensive but recognise that the staff need to rewarded appropriately.

Only concern is that timekeeping to planned session times is not always consistent and mother has experienced staff who are not as capable in kitchen or domestic skills as she needs- this is only her view however - I don't get direct feedback from the staff. All the staff I've experienced have been as capable as I would expect.

All the carers are very friendly and helpful.

Having them help with my dad's care has taken a huge pressure from both me and my sister.

My mother receives such wonderful care from all her carers. I can rest assured that her care needs are being met and my mother genuinely enjoys their company. We have been with Helping Hands for a few years now and communication has always been excellent. If a problem arises, the management is easy to reach and is acted on swiftly. Thank you for all you do!

The care and compassion that my mam received was outstanding and we were all treated like family. I would highly recommend this care provider to anyone looking for home care. My mam passed away 16th May 2023 and even after then I was contacted by them to see how us as a family were coping.

We have been with Helping Hands for almost six months. My mam, who is in her nineties, is very independent and was initially reluctant to receive help. Following an informative and helpful discussion at home with a staff manager, Mam agreed to have daily visits from a carer. During one visit, I was contacted by the carer informing me that Mam was unwell and that she had sent for the paramedics and would stay with Mam until I arrived. Mam was hospitalised for a number of days and the only issue I had with Helping Hands was being unable to contact them out of hours to suspend the contract until my Mam was discharged from hospital. Conversely, just prior to Mam coming home, I was able to speak to a staff manager fairly quickly to discuss some small adjustments to her contract and this was arranged immediately and without any fuss. The care provided has been good, my mam enjoys her daily visit from the carer and the family have the additional assurance that she is being looked after.

Couldn’t be more pleased with the services we have received for my grandma from Helping Hands. All of the staff are lovely and the office staff couldn’t do enough for us. The two ladies from the office especially have both been amazing and nothing we have asked so far has been an issue. The carers have been lovely with my grandma, they have made her feel comfortable since the beginning and helped her day-to-day life so much! All the staff at Helping Hands go above and beyond for their clients and we couldn’t thank them enough.

More communication is required between service and family especially when the person has dementia and can't remember the visits.

Used Helping Hands for the first time for 8 days between the 10th - 17th December 2022 to act as cover for my dad who is 90 years old and has been diagnosed with Mixed Dementia. Staff were very pleasant and communicated with me when I rang to see how he was during my ski holiday. The only downside was when Dad fell out of bed on the very day of my return. He had actually fallen on his neck and damaged it and Helping Hands quite rightly said they couldn't touch him when he fell on the floor. Care Call said the same resulting in him going to hospital where a stiff neck brace was fitted and he remained there for a full month until the C-7 fracture healed. He was actually released from hospital three days before I was due to go away again in January but the hospital transferred him to a local care home as it was deemed he needed 24 hour care not just daily care. Unfortunately, now my dad gets up frequently during the night and respite is the only option. Thank you for helping me last year.

We have nothing but gratitude for the service provided for our daughter. She loves seeing all the girls who provide her care, they are well chosen. The staff and manager go above and beyond to help our daughter, helping her to build her confidence and well-being. Thank you.

Helping Hands are really good, the staff are all very lovely, always there for you and they know how to talk to me and calm me down if I’m anxious. I love seeing each member of staff and the manager is lovely as well I would recommend Helping Hands to anyone as they are very good and best service I’ve had.

Helping Hands were absolutely marvellous with my father-in-law and mother-in-law at a time when they desperately needed help. They were knowledgeable and efficient and were so kind. We could not have asked for better. Sadly my father-in-law has now passed away, but their help made such a difference to us all. I would not hesitate to recommend their services.

Consistency of staff is much appreciated as Mum and Dad like to form relationships and with that comes more trust. Still feel like we need to stop asking Mum and Dad if they would like things cleaned like beds changed etc and just do it regardless.

We have been contracted with Helping Hands for several months now. Initially, my Mam was keen to manage without help and only agreed because it would be helpful for the family. After a reluctant start, on Mam's part, and some work from Helping Hands to schedule a regular carer, the weekly visit is going well. I have found the management team exceptionally helpful & supportive in a number of matters. Mam is now developing trust and valuable companionship with her helpers. As a plus, because they vacuum her floors among other tasks, there have been no further bumps or skin breaks to her shins which was a real worry as she is frail and doesn't heal well. Thank you for all you've done, we feel confident to continue to develop the care and support package with you as Mam's needs increase.

My mother tells me that the carers arrive on time and she feels like she has had a friend round for coffee which I feel really helps her mental health.

The office team have all been great too, good communication, understanding and kind.

Continuing great service from the Helping Hands team for my dad. Timely and friendly and always willing to accommodate any additional hours or changes to his routine to suit. He always speaks so highly of his carers, especially one lady who he says always has a tale to tell and always brings a smile to the house first thing in the morning when she visits.