Not a carer. A companion.

There's a difference between someone who has to show up and someone who wants to. Harriet visits older adults across Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft — for conversation, a walk, a cup of tea, and the kind of company you actually look forward to. No contracts. No strangers. Just her.

Operating in: Gorleston · Great Yarmouth · Lowestoft and surrounding villages

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“

Having someone pop in for a chat makes the whole week feel different.

— James, Lowestoft · read what families say

✓ DBS checked ✓ Fully insured ✓ No obligation visit ✓ Local & trusted

What we do

Help that fits around you

Every visit is built around the person, not a checklist. We take the time to learn what matters most to you or the person you care about.

Companionship

Regular visits from a familiar, friendly face. We sit, talk, listen and share — because good company is the best kind of care.

  • Conversation and company at home
  • Reading together or shared hobbies
  • Regular scheduled or flexible visits
  • Continuity with the same companion

Appointment support

Someone by your side at appointments — to keep you company, help you get there, and remember what was said.

  • GP and hospital appointments
  • Transport and accompaniment
  • Help understanding information
  • Liaising with family afterwards

Household help

A little help around the home, so life stays easy and you can spend your time on the things you enjoy.

  • Light cleaning and tidying
  • Laundry and meal preparation
  • Pet care and errands
  • Day-to-day practical tasks

“You are not looking for a carer… you are looking for someone who cares.”

The keeping.company promise

About us

We believe nobody should feel alone

We started Keeping.Company for one simple reason: older people deserve warmth, a familiar face and real human company — not help that's rushed through a checklist.

Our companions are chosen with care. Everyone we introduce has been met in person, DBS-checked, and matched to your personality, interests and daily routine.

We're local to Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Lowestoft — places we know well and care about.

There's no contract and no commitment. Just a friendly chat to start, and a visit whenever you're ready.

The Keeping.Company difference

A care company sends a different face each visit to complete a list of tasks against the clock. We are not that. We introduce one familiar companion who comes for the person, not the checklist — someone who learns your stories, shares your interests and genuinely looks forward to seeing you. The practical help still happens, but it happens around a real friendship. That is the difference between being looked after and being kept company.

Harriet, founder of Keeping.Company

Harriet

Founder, keeping.company

I started Keeping.Company because I saw too many lovely, interesting people spending their days with no one to talk to. That isn't right — especially when the answer is so simple.

"Our companions are not staff doing a job. They are people who genuinely want to be there — and that difference matters more than any qualification."

📞 07876 753211 (also on WhatsApp) 📍 Great Yarmouth, Gorleston & Lowestoft Hati & Co. Ltd — Company No. 17255557

Articles & advice

Thoughts on growing older well

Practical advice, gentle encouragement, and honest conversation about what it means to support someone you love.

An older man looking out of a window

Loneliness

Why loneliness is a bigger health risk than you might think

Research consistently shows that chronic loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Here is what families can do to help.

Read more →
A family chatting together at home

Family

How to start the conversation about needing support

Bringing up the idea of a companion can feel delicate. These approaches make it easier to talk — and be heard.

Read more →
Older women enjoying independent life together

Independence

Staying independent at home for longer: what really helps

Small interventions — routine, connection, and light practical support — can make an enormous difference to how long someone thrives at home.

Read more →
An older man sitting thoughtfully at home

Family

Signs your parent might need a little more support

The gentle, easy-to-miss signs that an older parent may be struggling at home — and what you can do to help.

Read more →
A companion and an older woman chatting warmly at home

Guidance

Companionship vs home care: what's the difference?

They're often used to mean the same thing, but they're not. A clear, friendly guide to which might be right for your loved one.

Read more →
An older man keeping cool with a fan in warm weather

Wellbeing

Keeping cool and safe in hot weather: a guide for older adults

Older adults are more vulnerable to heat. Practical, gentle tips to stay cool, hydrated and safe when the weather warms up.

Read more →
A younger person gently cradling the hands of an older person holding a small bunch of daisies and dandelions

Dementia

Supporting a loved one living with dementia: gentle, everyday ways to help

So much of what helps is wonderfully ordinary — patience, familiarity and a calm, friendly presence. The person you love is still very much there.

Read more →
Two older people preparing a fresh salad together in the kitchen, slicing tomatoes on a wooden board

Wellbeing

Eating well in later life: helping an older loved one enjoy food again

Appetite often quietly fades with age. Small, gentle changes — and good company at the table — can bring the joy of food back.

Read more →
A smiling older woman with white hair chatting happily on the phone at home

Family

Staying close from afar: helping older relatives keep in touch with a little technology

When family lives far away, a little technology can ease the distance. Keep it simple, lead with the people, and never let it feel like homework.

Read more →
Visit Harriet's Journal →

Free family checklist

Worried about mum or dad, but not sure if it's "anything yet"?

Our free printable checklist gathers the 12 gentle, early signs an older parent may need a little more support — and what to do next.

Get the free checklist →

What families say

Kind words from local families

Inviting someone into a parent's life is a decision built on trust. Here's what families we visit have told us.

“Having someone pop in for a chat makes the whole week feel different. Harriet found exactly the right person for mum — warm, patient, and genuinely interested in her life.”

— James, Lowestoft

Questions

Frequently asked questions

A few of the things families often ask. If your question isn't here, just call Harriet on 07876 753211 — she's always happy to talk it through.

What exactly does a companion do?

Whatever helps most. Mostly it's good company — conversation, a cup of tea, a walk, a shared hobby, or simply a familiar face who pops in regularly. Companions can also help with appointments, errands, and light tasks around the home. Every visit is shaped around the person, not a checklist.

How is this different from a care agency?

A care agency often sends a different person each visit to complete set tasks against the clock. We introduce one familiar companion who comes for the person — someone who learns your stories, shares your interests, and genuinely looks forward to seeing you. The practical help still happens, but it happens around a real friendship.

Which areas do you cover?

We're local to Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Lowestoft, and we also visit the surrounding villages. Each of those links has more about how we help in that area. If you're nearby and not sure whether we can reach you, just ask — we'll always let you know honestly.

How much does it cost?

Our visits are £18 per hour, with no contracts and no hidden extras. You choose how often you'd like company, so you're always in control of the cost. The first conversation and introductory visit are completely free and carry no obligation — and you can read what local families say before deciding anything.

Are your companions checked and insured?

Yes. Every companion we introduce has an enhanced DBS check, has been met in person, and we are fully insured. Your safety and peace of mind come first, always.

Is there a contract or minimum commitment?

No contracts and no long-term commitment. You can have visits as often or as rarely as suits you, and change things whenever you need to. It starts with a friendly chat and a visit when you're ready — nothing more.

How often can visits happen?

As regularly or as occasionally as you'd like — from a single weekly visit to several times a week. Many families find that a consistent, regular visit with the same companion does the most good, but we'll fit around your routine.

Can you help getting to appointments?

Absolutely. We can accompany you to GP and hospital appointments, help with transport, keep you company while you wait, and help remember what was said afterwards — and pass things on to family if that's helpful.

I'm enquiring on behalf of my parent — is that OK?

Of course — most enquiries come from sons and daughters. Just get in touch and we'll talk it through gently and at your pace. There's no pressure, and nothing is decided until everyone feels comfortable.

What happens at the free introductory visit?

It's simply a relaxed chance to meet, have a cup of tea, and see if it feels right. There's no obligation to go ahead. If it's a good fit, we'll arrange regular visits; if not, that's completely fine and nothing is lost.