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Last time, we introduced you to Sam Bee, one half of this year’s joint Franchisee of the Year. Now it’s the turn of our other amazing winner!
Sam Kimber-Halford, who runs Extra Help North and Mid Devon, was chosen to win Franchisee of the Year due to increasing her client numbers by an impressive 466% and her team by 366% in a single year. In addition to this, her monthly hours rose from 233 to 695. No one can deny that these numbers are truly impressive!
We caught up with Sam to find out about her franchising journey so far.
“I was completely blown away!”
Sam says she was absolutely stunned to win Franchisee of the Year. Seeing the growth figures on screen at the awards came as a total shock to her, and she even kept the news to herself for a few days, telling only her husband and children, which is typical of her modesty.
“I do hate talking about myself,” she told us.
You can read more about this year’s winners in our Conference and Awards blog.
From accountant to business owner
Sam’s route to Extra Help wasn’t a straight line. She originally trained as an accountant, then left work when she became a mum. She has since worked for a foster care association and as a netball coach (she once played for England!).
When the family moved to Devon five years ago, Sam wanted to find work that fitted around school hours but made her feel like herself again. She originally set up a small home-help business in September 2024 and took on a few hours as a home-helper from her local Extra Help franchise to top up her income. When the previous franchisee wanted to hand the franchise back, Sam decided to buy it and became the owner of Extra Help North and Mid Devon. At that point, the franchise was only billing around eight hours of work a week.
“It wasn’t like I inherited a large customer base,” she said. “My client base has been entirely built up since I took over.”
Support for all ages, not just home-help for the elderly
While some of our franchisees focus solely on home-help for the elderly, Sam’s clients range from 18 to 100. Around 98% of her work is focused on helping vulnerable people with mental health conditions, autism, ADHD and other needs to live independently at home. For more information on these topics, visit Mind and the National Autistic Society.
Many clients come to her from larger care companies after a poor experience. They’re often pleasantly surprised by the difference – the same home-helper each time, more time allocated, and a WhatsApp group for each client that also includes their family members, so everyone can be kept in the loop.
A team people want to join
Sam now has 23 home-helpers, despite never advertising on a job site. Recruitment mainly comes from Facebook and word-of-mouth.
“I’ve even got three staff who are really keen to work for Extra Help and are currently waiting to be allocated hours by me,” she said.
Her secret is a model built entirely around her team. Many of her home-helpers have children, so Sam plans their hours around school times. They choose their days and hours, and Sam builds their contracts around them. Home-helpers see the same clients every week, so they always know where they’re going and can spend longer with each person. Every week, she sends them a thank-you message on WhatsApp.
“I know that a happy team will stay with me, and that’s exactly what’s happening,” she told us.
Still hands-on
Sam hasn’t stepped away from the front line. She still works some hours as a home-helper herself and meets every new client personally, so she can match them with the right helper.
“I take the time to understand who they are, what they need and, importantly, what kind of person they’re likely to connect with,” she explained.
In a rural area like North Devon, this can mean a three-hour round trip for a single visit. She also handles reviews with social workers and day-to-day contact with the council.
One story she shared showed how much this matters. Her first client with Extra Help North and Mid Devon has Type 1 diabetes and needs practical, steady support. Sam has assisted her in many ways, including helping her move into a new home, manage her medication, lose weight and eat more healthily by preparing her meals.
“I’ve supported this client through many difficult episodes, including hospital admissions and emergency situations. I’ve collected overnight bags, medication and essential items from home, spent time with her in hospital, and provided reassurance when everything feels overwhelming,” said Sam.
“Being an advocate and supporter can make a huge difference. Nobody should have to face life’s challenges alone.”
Sam’s children have even made the client posters of encouragement, which are framed beside her bed.
Sam’s advice for anyone considering a home-help franchise
- Know your target market, ensure you understand exactly what their needs are and how you can help make their lives easier.
- Make sure staff know how to keep detailed records of client visits. Sam calls her visit reports her ‘Bible’ and checks them closely, ensuring they always contain the appropriate level of detail for each client. This is especially crucial when dealing with social services, as they can ask for information at any time, so Sam ensures that her home-helpers are taking the time to record everything that’s required.
- Go the extra mile. Social services and councils favour providers they like and know they can trust. “If you give them more, they go away happy and will always think of you first when they need help,” she said.
- Let people see exactly who you are and what you do. Sam shares a “day in the life” series on the branch’s Facebook page, written by herself and one of her home-helpers.
- Be prepared to work hard because you only get out what you put in.
Could a home-help franchise be right for you?
Sam’s story shows what’s possible when you have a clear sense of who you want to help and a team who feel valued.
If you have a genuine passion for helping others and would like to build a rewarding business that makes a huge difference to your local community, we’d love to hear from you! Call us on 01752 905790 or visit our website to find out more about running your own Extra Help home-help franchise.
