As you know, we’re always very excited to launch a new Extra Help territory but, this time, it’s even more significant for us.
Please join us in welcoming our very first franchisee in Scotland to the Extra Help family!
Tom Guy will be running Extra Help Glasgow and Renfrew from mid-June, covering the following postcodes:
- PA1 and PA3 (Paisley)
- PA4 (Renfrew)
- PA7 (Bishopton)
- PA8 (Erskine)
- G11, G12, G13, G14, G15 and G16 (Glasgow)
A caring background
Tom lives in Renfrew and is currently studying for an open degree in Health and Social Care. With an impressive background in residential childcare, his most recent role involved managing a residential home for autistic children and young adults, overseeing a team of 20 staff.
Prior to this, Tom worked in various roles in autistic care, both within schools and residential settings in Aberdeen and Glasgow. He also had a 7-year hiatus, working as a chef offshore on an oil rig, but his desire for a more rewarding job led him back to working with children with special needs. He intends to continue working in a childcare role alongside building his home-help franchise business.
He says: “I have thrived in my career supporting a wide range of people, ranging from children who have experienced trauma, the autistic spectrum and elderly people with dementia, PTSD, and addiction issues. These experiences have taught me to provide the care I would expect for my loved ones and, here at Extra Help Glasgow and Renfrew, we abide by that ethos.”
Tom is also a registered Scottish Dementia Friend, meaning he has trained to understand how to interact with and support people with dementia, and will be encouraging his team to undertake the training too.
Using existing skills and experience to ‘give back’ to the community
Tom says he chose Extra Help because its flexibility and scalability appealed to him, especially when compared with other, more restrictive franchise models. The Parents’ Help aspect of the franchise obviously resonates with him, due to his experience in and passion for working with children. Extra Help for the Elderly is also a service that Tom intends to focus on, especially companionship.
He says: “I’ve networked extensively across Glasgow and made lots of contacts, both potential home helpers and clients. I already seem to be generating lots of interest, so I’m hoping I’ve discovered a gap in the market. Whether it’s dog-walking, meal preparation, school runs or cleaning, having help with these day-to-day tasks will give people more time to devote to their families, or even have some well-deserved time off.”
Backed by excellent training and support
Tom has been extremely encouraged by the support he has received from the Extra Help team. He loves the family-feel of the franchise and says they have been extremely understanding of his existing commitments. He has already met some of his fellow franchisees through Extra Help’s weekly, virtual Power Hour, which he says was valuable in connecting with successful franchisees and learning from their experiences. He’s eager to engage more fully, once his exams are over and he’s able to officially launch his home help franchise in the coming weeks.
Off to a flying start
Tom is energetic and hugely passionate about his work, with a strong desire to help people and give back to the community. In order to launch his new franchise, he has carried out an extensive leaflet drop, posted leaflets in local community centres, and has been working with his local job centre to recruit new home-helpers. He hopes to attend more networking events in the near future to raise awareness of his Extra Help franchise in his local area.
Extra Help Glasgow and Renfrew provides the following services:
- School runs and help for parents
- Companionship – popping in, spending some time or providing respite for carers
- Domestic cleaning, tidying, laundry and ironing
- Shopping
- Transport to supermarket, doctors, hospital appointments, hairdressers
- Meal preparation
- Household jobs
- Spring cleaning
- Transport to and assistance at social events
- Dog walking
- Household maintenance
Find out more about how Tom and his team can assist you and your loved ones.
We wish Tom, our first franchisee in Scotland, the best of luck as he embarks on his exciting journey with Extra Help! 🌟
More information
Have you identified a gap in your local market that Extra Help could fill?
If Tom’s story has inspired you and you’d like to run your own, rewarding, home help and cleaning franchise, give us a call on 01752 905790 or visit our website.