Many people don't need care. They just need a little help.
Trusted Companions North East provides regular visits from the same familiar companion — helping people stay socially connected, confident, and independent in their own home, across the North East of England.
Covering a 40-mile radius from Sunderland — Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Hartlepool, Darlington & beyond.
What a good week looks like
Why we're not a CQC-regulated care agency
Many of the people we support don't need personal or medical care at all — they just need a little help: someone to visit regularly, share a cup of tea, get out to the shops, or feel less alone. That's companionship and practical support, not care in the regulated sense.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates personal care — things like washing, dressing, and medication. Because we don't provide any of that, we don't need to be CQC-registered, and we're not. What we do provide is trusted, consistent companionship that helps people stay connected, active, and independent. If someone's needs change and personal care becomes necessary, we'll help point you towards a regulated provider who can support that — read more in our FAQs.
Social connection
Regular, genuine human contact that reduces loneliness.
Hobbies & interests
Encouraging the pastimes and passions that make each day enjoyable.
Technology confidence
Patient help with phones, tablets and video calls to stay in touch.
Reassurance for families
Regular updates and a dependable presence when you can't always be there.
Trust
Genuine relationships, built on reliability and respect.
Independence
Support built around what already matters to you.
People at different stages of life, all wanting to stay independent.
We don't provide personal care or healthcare — our focus is companionship, practical everyday help, and the confidence that comes from not doing it all alone.
Older adults
Regular companionship and practical help for people who want to remain independent at home.
Adults with disabilities
Support to take part in everyday life on your own terms, with choice and independence front and centre.
Returning home after illness
Rebuilding confidence and routines after a hospital stay, with practical help settling back in.
People feeling lonely
Regular, dependable human connection for anyone who'd value more company in their week.
Families
Reassurance that someone reliable is nearby, with regular updates when they can't always be there.
Support that fits around a real life, not the other way round.
Companion visits
Conversation, tea, games, hobbies, walks and local outings — built around each person's interests.
Practical support visits
Shopping, paperwork, appointment prep, and general household organisation.
Family Peace of Mind
Our signature service — a familiar companion, regular visits, and family updates after each one.
Technology support
Confidence with smartphones, tablets, video calling and staying connected with family.
Home support visits
Post-hospital support, decluttering, seasonal preparation, pet support and routine help.
Community involvement
Getting out to clubs, groups and local events, with a companion alongside if it helps.
Straightforward monthly plans, no surprises.
Every plan includes a familiar, regular companion. Choose based on how much time you'd like each month — you can change plans at any time.
Reassurance Plan
Regular companionship and connection — 4 visits a month.
- 4 visits / month, 1.5 hrs each (6 hrs total)
- Companionship, conversation, walks, hobbies
- Family updates where appropriate
- Priority booking
Peace of Mind Plan
Regular companionship plus practical everyday support — 4 visits a month.
- 4 visits / month, 2 hrs each (8 hrs total)
- The same companion, every visit
- Shopping, tech help, community activities
- Family updates after visits
Complete Support Plan
Twice-weekly support for people needing more regular help — 8 visits a month.
- 8 visits / month, 2 hrs each (16 hrs total)
- Accompanied outings & appointment support
- Home organisation & technology support
- Enhanced family communication
| Service | When | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Additional visits | Standard hours, min. 1.5 hrs | £30 / hour |
| Enhanced availability | Evenings & weekends | £33 / hour (+10%) |
| Bank holiday support | Bank holidays | £37.50 / hour (+25%) |
| Priority support | Short-notice requests, subject to availability | £37.50 / hour (+25%) |
None of these quite right? Build your own.
Every situation is a little different. Adjust the options below for a rough monthly estimate, then send it straight to us for a proper, no-obligation quote.
4 visits × 2 hours at £30/hr = 8 hours a month
Send this to us for a proper quoteThis is a rough guide only, not a final price. Our membership plans above may work out better value for regular, ongoing support.
For specific moments, not just ongoing plans.
Hospital Homecoming Package
Home preparation, shopping support, and companionship while someone rebuilds routines after a hospital stay. 4 visits, 2 hours each (8 hours total). Additional visits from £32/hour.
Holiday Cover Package
Scheduled visits and friendly check-ins while family are away, with updates so you have peace of mind from a distance. 4 visits, 1.5 hours each (6 hours total). Additional visits from £32/hour.
Getting started is simple, and there's no obligation.
Most enquiries are matched with a companion and booked in within 24–48 hours.
Get in touch
Call, or send an enquiry. We'll have a relaxed conversation about what support would help.
A friendly matching call
We take time to understand interests and routines, so we can match the right companion — usually within 24–48 hours.
Meet your companion
An introductory visit with the same person who'll visit every time after, so everyone feels comfortable first.
Regular visits & updates
The same familiar companion, on the schedule you choose, with updates for family where appropriate.
What we'd want to know, if it were our own family.
Vetted, trusted companions
[Add detail: DBS/background check process, references and interview process for companions.]
Confirm wording before launchInsured & accountable
[Add detail: public liability insurance, safeguarding policy, and who to contact with any concern.]
Confirm wording before launchNot personal care
We provide companionship and practical support only — never personal or medical care. If care needs change, we'll help signpost to the right regulated service.
We cover a 40-mile radius from Sunderland.
Sunderland is our home base, and we serve everywhere within roughly 40 miles of it — including Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Hartlepool, Darlington and the towns in between. Enter a postcode alongside the map for an exact check.
Map tiles © CARTO, data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Postcode lookup: postcodes.io (Office for National Statistics data, Open Government Licence).
Not sure if we cover you?
Enter your postcode and we'll check whether you're within our 40-mile radius of Sunderland.
Questions families often ask us first.
Is this the same as personal care or home care?
No. We don't provide personal care, medication support or healthcare of any kind. We focus entirely on companionship, practical everyday support and connection. If personal care needs arise, we'll help point you towards a regulated care provider.
Are you regulated by the CQC?
No, and that's by design rather than an oversight. The Care Quality Commission regulates personal and medical care — washing, dressing, medication and similar. Since we only provide companionship and practical everyday support, CQC registration doesn't apply to what we do. Many people who get in touch don't need regulated care at all; they just need a little help and regular company. If that ever changes, we'll help you find a regulated provider who can step in.
Will we see the same companion every time?
Yes — this is central to how we work. You're matched with one companion at the start, and it's the same familiar person for every visit afterwards, not a rotating rota of different faces. If a change is ever needed, we'll always talk it through with you first.
How are companions matched to individuals?
We start with a conversation about interests, routines and personality, then introduce a companion we think will be a good fit, with a low-pressure introductory visit before anything is booked in regularly. Most enquiries are matched and booked in within 24–48 hours.
Can we pause or change our plan?
Yes. Plans can be adjusted or paused with notice — just let your coordinator know. [Confirm exact notice period and cancellation policy for this page.]
How do family updates work?
Where appropriate and agreed with the person we're supporting, a short update can be shared after each visit — covering general wellbeing and how the visit went, never private health details.
What areas do you cover?
We're based in Sunderland and cover a 40-mile radius from there — including Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Hartlepool, Darlington and the towns in between. Check the map and postcode checker above, or get in touch directly if you're unsure.
Have a relaxed first conversation — no commitment.
Most families start with a phone call. Prefer to write instead? Fill in the form and we'll come back to you, usually within one working day.