With the support of Community Catalysts and the Central Bedfordshire Community Micro-enterprise Project, Rachel has set up Helping Hands to offer responsive and flexible support in Biggleswade. Rachel works with older people, mainly offering support with gardening but also helping in the home with light housework and admin, and offering companionship.
Rachel’s enterprise grew organically. At first, Rachel was approached by local people asking for help with their gardens. This quickly led to other support, such as practical tasks around people’s homes, especially during the winter months when people’s gardens needed less attention.
Rachel explains what she loves about her work:
The local Catalyst helped Rachel set up her community micro-enterprise; this has included help with promoting the enterprise and implementing key policies. The Catalyst also guided Rachel to consider the systems she needed to put in place to request and receive correct payment for her services.
This help to expand the range of services on offer contributed to Rachel securing more work during the winter months when there was a lesser need for gardening. Rachel now has around 40 customers she supports throughout the year. Rachel knows that the local Catalyst is always available to provide support where needed, whether via a phone conversation, an email or a chat over coffee.
Rachel’s service is flexible and adaptable. She offers regular weekly support or helps on an ad hoc basis where required.
Rachel shares some stories of local people she has been supporting:
You can find Helping Hands and other flexible, high quality community enterprises in the local area on the Central Bedfordshire Small Good Stuff directory.