Close to Hand is an online service matching people looking for a helping hand to local Home Helpers seeking work with a purpose.
Whether you need help with shopping, laundry, housework, gardening, running errands, pet care, a chaperone or just some companionship - our service is for anyone who finds themselves needing an extra pair of hands on an adhoc, short term or long term basis. The choice is yours.
Are you looking for some home help? Getting started is easy...
Step 2: Take a look around
We'll show you helpers who live in your local area
Step 3: Write a job advert
Tell us what help you're looking for & we'll notify all the local helpers in your area
Step 4: Message and Connect
Message local helpers via our secure messaging service and make a connection
Become a Home Helper - it's simple and free to join
Step 1: Register and build your profile
Register for free and build your personal profile detailing your location, availability and charges
Step 2: Search local home help jobs
Search local jobs & respond directly to the job holder
Step 3: Verification
Before you connect, upgrade to Premium membership and go through our ID & background check
Step 4: Message and Connect
Respond to job adverts and message job holders via our secure messaging service
Any more questions? Take a look at our FAQs or contact us
Join our community
We asked a few of our members to come together and tell us about their experience of using Close to Hand.
I used Close to Hand for the first time last week. It was reassuring to find so many helpers available who lived near my Dad. We contacted someone who replied within a few hours and arranged to meet a few days later. All went well and the helper is now supporting my Dad for a couple of hours twice a week.
Mrs King, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. July 2020
I had a quick response to my advert and have now managed to meet up with my Mum's new helper. So far so good, Katrina seems caring and willing which has eased my Mum’s reluctance to accept that she really does need help around the house. My Mum cares for my Dad who has Dementia, so any help is most welcome. Thank you.
Gwen, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. June 2020
We had lots of replies from lovely people all wanting to help which was great. We have engaged a lovely lady so hoping all works out. Thank you so much for being there, it’s an invaluable service that you are providing and is very much appreciated.
Cath, Crowborough, East Sussex. June 2020
All contact happens through the Close to Hand site until you're ready to exchange information directly. As you're probably local to each other, you may find you share mutual friends without knowing it.