Now matching across Kent & Essex

Someone to share
the day with, properly.

Warm, carefully matched companions for elderly people who live alone. Visits, outings, conversation and the kind of genuine connection that makes every day feel a little brighter.

Book a Free Assessment How It Works
Enhanced DBS Checked
Fully Insured
Non-Medical
No Lock-In
Companion sharing a warm moment with an elderly person
Young companion sharing a joyful moment with an elderly man at home
What We Do

Why companionship matters

A familiar, trusted companion who visits regularly, listens genuinely and shares in everyday moments can have a profound effect on mood, confidence and quality of life.

Reduces loneliness and isolationRegular visits from a familiar, trusted face make a measurable difference to mood and mental health.
Brings back joy and purposeShared activities, conversation and outings rekindle interests and give the day shape.
Supports independenceCompanions help with outings, errands and appointments, enabling your loved one to remain at home.
Peace of mind for the familyKnowing a vetted, trusted companion is checking in gives families genuine reassurance.
How It Works

Simple. Warm. No pressure.

From your first call to the first visit, we make it straightforward. Most families have a companion visiting within two weeks of getting in touch.

1

Free Consultation

Tell us about your loved one: their personality, interests and routine. No forms, no pressure. Just a warm conversation with our team.

2

We Find Your Match

We hand-pick a companion based on shared interests, personality and location. You and your loved one have the final say before visits begin.

3

Visits Begin

Your loved one sees the same companion every visit. Consistency builds trust, and trust becomes friendship.

What to Expect

What our companions do, and what you will notice

What your companion provides
A friendly, familiar face your loved one looks forward to seeing
Real conversation, warmth and genuine interest in their life
Time for hobbies, shared interests and enjoyable activities
Accompanied outings: walks, cafés, garden centres, appointments
Help with errands, shopping and everyday tasks
A relationship that grows and deepens over time
What families tell us they notice
Their loved one seems brighter and more engaged
They have something to look forward to each week
They hear stories and laughter on the phone again
Their own anxiety about a parent living alone eases
They feel like they have a trusted partner in caring
Elderly woman with her dog and companion
Part of the Family

The small things matter most

From walking a beloved pet to tending the garden, companions support the everyday moments that bring the most joy, helping your loved one remain in the life they know and love.

Why It Matters

The science behind connection

Loneliness is now recognised by leading health organisations as one of the most significant risks to health in later life. Research published by Age UK found that chronic loneliness among older people is as harmful to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Yet the solution is not complicated. Studies consistently show that regular, meaningful social interaction, a familiar person, a shared activity, a genuine conversation, can reverse many of these effects without any medical intervention.

Age UK, Loneliness Research

"Over a million older people say they go more than a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Regular companionship is one of the most effective interventions available."

Companion and elderly person enjoying an outing together
Why CompanionFirst

One thing, done properly

CompanionFirst does one thing: companionship. Not a checklist of services, not a clinical operation. Just carefully matched companions, visiting consistently, building real relationships with the people they spend time with.

Companionship Only

We focus entirely on social connection. That singular focus shapes every companion we recruit and every match we make.

Carefully Matched

We match on personality and shared interests, not just availability. A good match feels like friendship from the very first visit.

Fully Vetted

Enhanced DBS, two references, personal interview and a two-hour induction. Every companion, before their first visit.

Always the Same Face

Consistency matters most. Your loved one builds a real relationship with the same companion at every visit.

Areas We Cover

Serving Kent and Essex, expanding into London

We operate locally across Kent and Essex with companions based in each area. South East London is coming soon.

KentActive
MaidstoneGravesendDartfordTonbridgeSevenoaksMedwayCanterburyThanetAshfordFolkestone
EssexActive
ChelmsfordBasildonSouthendBrentwoodColchesterLeigh-on-SeaThurrockEpping
SE LondonComing Soon
BromleyBexleyGreenwichLewisham

Not in our area yet? Register your interest and we will be in touch as soon as we reach you.

Register Interest
FAQ

Questions families ask us

Everything you need to know before getting in touch.

A carer provides personal care: washing, dressing, medication and toileting. A companion provides social and emotional support: visits, conversation, outings and errands. CompanionFirst companions do not provide any personal care whatsoever. We are a companionship-only service.
Yes. Every companion holds an Enhanced DBS certificate before their first visit. We also take two references, conduct a thorough personal interview and put every companion through a two-hour induction covering safeguarding and professional standards.
Most families have a companion matched and visiting within two weeks of their first consultation. We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours and will always be honest with you about timescales in your area.
We rematch, no questions asked and no additional cost. The right connection matters more than anything else we do. You and your loved one always have the final say, and we will keep matching until it is right.
Every family's situation is different. We start with a free assessment call to understand your loved one's personality, interests and what they need, with no obligation to proceed. We are always transparent about costs and there are no setup fees or hidden charges.
No. We invoice monthly in arrears, so you pay for visits completed, never in advance. You can pause or cancel with two weeks written notice. We want families to stay because they love the service, not because they are locked in.
No. CQC registration is only required for services that provide personal care. CompanionFirst is purely non-medical companionship, which is explicitly exempt from CQC regulation under current published guidance.
In some cases, yes. Elderly people who qualify for local authority support may be able to use Direct Payments or Personal Budgets to fund companion visits. Contact us and we can advise based on your loved one's specific situation.
Get in Touch

Tell us about your loved one

No pressure. No commitment. Just a warm conversation to understand who they are, what they enjoy and what would make the most difference to their day.

T
Call us direct
0303 330 1600
@
Email us
info@companionfirst.co.uk
W
WhatsApp
Message us any time
24
Response time
Within 24 hours, always

Tell Us About Your Loved One

Help us get to know them: their personality, interests and what they enjoy. We will take it from there.

No commitment required. We will be in touch shortly.