01752 905790
info@extra-help.co.uk
We’re delighted to announce the launch of Extra Help Tameside and Glossop, led by local couple Karen and Wayne Heap.
Officially launched in April 2026, Karen and Wayne provide home-help services in Tameside and Glossop across the M34, M43, OL6, OL7, SK13, SK14, SK15 and SK16 areas. Based in Audenshaw, they’re both passionate about helping local people remain happy, safe and independent in their own homes.
A Business Built on Personal Experience
Karen brings more than 10 years of frontline domiciliary and complex care experience to the business. Throughout her career, she has seen both excellent care delivery, as well as situations where people weren’t receiving the support they truly needed.
“Every person deserves to feel valued, listened to and supported in a way that suits them as an individual,” says Karen. “I wanted to move away from traditional domiciliary care whilst still using my skills and experience.”
Wayne spent 18 years working for a company leading customer-focused teams across the UK, rising to the position of Service Director. However, losing both of his parents made him think differently about the importance of support services for older people and their families. He believes that good home-help isn’t just a service, it’s a lifeline for families navigating some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
Discovering the Extra Help Difference
Although Karen and Wayne knew they wanted to run their own business, they weren’t originally looking for a home-help franchise.
“We’d never really considered a home-help business before,” says Wayne. “But when we found Extra Help online, we could instantly see the benefits of a business that filled the gap for people who were living independently at home and needed more than cleaning but didn’t need to pay for full personal care.”
The couple were particularly impressed by Extra Help‘s established reputation and support network.
“We decided to go for an Extra Help home-help franchise, rather than setting up on our own, because the structure, systems and business model were already there,” Wayne adds. “Extra Help is tried and tested, with great reviews and strong relationships already in place. It gave us real confidence that we could replicate that success in our local area.”
Delivering the Support People Really Need
As a husband-and-wife team, Wayne and Karen each bring different strengths to the business. Wayne is focused on running and developing the business, while Karen liaises with the clients and home-helpers.
Their mission is simple – to provide the kind of support that helps people continue living independently while enjoying a better quality of life.
“I like the fact that we have the flexibility to help our clients with whatever they ask for,” says Karen. “We never have to say no to them. In traditional care settings, I’ve often seen carers only doing the basics because they’re rushed. They can’t always take the time to provide companionship or find out what clients really need.”
This flexibility is one of the reasons why Extra Help’s services are so valued by older people and their families. From household chores and shopping to companionship, meal preparation and gardening, the focus is always on supporting each client’s individual needs.
Extra Help Tameside and Glossop currently provides the following services:
- Companionship
- Domestic cleaning, tidying, laundry, and ironing
- Shopping assistance or doing shopping on behalf of clients
- Transport to appointments and social events
- Meal preparation
- Gardening and DIY
- Dog walking and basic pet care
- De-cluttering and household maintenance
- Spring cleans and end-of-tenancy cleans.
Home-Help Services That Make a Real Difference
Karen and Wayne are currently carrying out much of the work themselves as they grow their business, helping them build strong relationships with clients and understand local needs firsthand.
“It’s about being able to deliver the ‘nice’ things as well,” says Wayne. “Companionship is a huge part of what we do. Recently, we took a lady out in her wheelchair who hadn’t been out for a really long time. Seeing the difference something simple like that can make is incredibly rewarding.”
Both Karen and Wayne are Dementia Friends and plan to encourage all future home-helpers to complete dementia awareness training as they join the business. They are also building relationships with local organisations, including Age UK, and have already started to receive referrals from them.
One Family Supporting Others
The Heaps are building their home-help franchise as a genuine family business. Several family members are already involved or preparing to join, helping to deliver services such as gardening and home support.
“We’re building it as a true family business, from one family to another,” says Wayne.
That family-centred approach reflects the values that sit at the heart of their new venture.
“Together, we’re creating something that honours our experiences and reflects the values of our community: warmth, reliability and looking out for one another,” they say. “Extra Help gives us the platform to deliver a premium, trustworthy, locally grounded service that genuinely makes life easier for people across Tameside and Glossop.”
Looking for Home-Help Services in Tameside and Glossop?
If you or a loved one could benefit from home-help, companionship or domestic support in Tameside and Glossop, Karen and Wayne would love to hear from you.
Contact Extra Help Tameside & Glossop today to discuss how they can help you or a family member continue living independently at home.
Call Karen and Wayne on 0161 410 4151
Email: tameside@extra-help.co.uk
Could You Run a Home-Help Franchise in Your Area?
Would you like to join a growing network of franchise owners who are delivering trusted home-help services across the UK?
If you’ve been inspired by Karen and Wayne’s story and want to run your own home-help franchise in your local area, Extra Help can provide the support, systems and guidance you need to get started.
To find out more about Extra Help franchise opportunities, call 01752 905790 or visit our website.
