You spend time with an older adult who lives independently but would benefit from regular company and a helping hand. That might mean going for a walk together, helping with shopping or errands, preparing a meal, having a conversation over a cup of tea, or helping someone navigate their phone or computer. You bring presence and reliability. The specifics are shaped by the person you are matched with.

No two visits look exactly the same, but here are a few examples of what you may expect:

•       A Tuesday morning at a garden centre, followed by lunch.

•       Helping a client sort through correspondence and pay bills online.

•       A Saturday morning conversation about football and local history.

•       Cooking a favourite recipe together and writing a note to the family through the app.

•       A walk in the park, followed by a trip to pick up a prescription.

No. Gerry companions do not provide personal care. That means no help with bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, wound care, medication administration, or clinical tasks of any kind. Those are regulated activities that require specific qualifications and registration with the Care Quality Commission. Gerry is deliberately and by design outside that boundary. What you are offering is companionship, practical social support, and a reliable presence, which is genuinely valuable and genuinely distinct from care.

If a client asks you to do something that feels like personal care, the right thing to do is gently decline and flag it through the app. This protects you, it protects the client, and it protects the integrity of the service. We would rather have that conversation than have you in an uncomfortable or uninsured position. If a client's needs are evolving beyond what Gerry can appropriately support, we will help the family think through the next step.

We take trust seriously, and that starts with how we verify companions before anyone is matched. The process includes identity verification through document inspection, an enhanced DBS check (the highest level of criminal record check available), a credit search and reference checks. You will also complete a profile interview so families can understand who you are before they meet you. Once you are approved, your credentials are monitored on an ongoing basis. Trust is not a box we tick once.

Yes. If you do not have a current enhanced DBS certificate, we can arrange one. We will explain the process and timeline when you apply.

Yes. Many of our best Gerry Companions have no formal care background. What matters most is that you are warm, reliable, patient, and genuinely interested in the people you spend time with. Retired teachers, former NHS administrators, students, and many others with no care experience have joined us and built wonderful relationships with clients.

Yes. When you first start with Gerry, there is a review period so that both you and your matched client can confirm the relationship is working well. We check in with you and with the family after your first few visits. Most companions find this reassuring rather than daunting.

No. Companions on the Gerry platform work as self-employed individuals. Gerry matches you with clients and provides the trust infrastructure: the vetting, the app, the insurance layer, and the payment process. The working relationship is between you and the client's family. This structure gives you flexibility over your hours and the clients you work with.

You set your own hourly rate. We believe companionship is skilled, meaningful work and it should be paid accordingly.

Our guarantee is that you will never take home less than £22 per visit. Clients pay a higher amount, which includes a platform fee that covers the cost of ongoing identity verification and the insurance that protects you while you're with a client. What reaches you after that deduction will always be at least £22.

One thing to know upfront: you'll need to obtain an enhanced DBS check before your first visit. This is a one-off cost you cover yourself, and it's a condition of joining the platform. We'll guide you through exactly how to get one.

You'll get full details on rates and fees before we go live. Sign up now to be first in line.

You set your available hours and Gerry facilitates the booking and payment process through the platform. Rates reflect the skilled, verified nature of the role and are competitive with, or better than, equivalent flexible roles in the local area. You will receive clear information on rates when you complete your application.

There is no minimum commitment. Some Gerry Companions work a few hours a week with a single client. Others work across multiple clients and fill a substantial part of their week. The flexibility is genuine: you indicate your availability and we work with what you tell us.

Life happens. We ask that you give as much notice as possible through the app if you need to cancel or reschedule, because the people you visit plan their week around seeing you. Clear communication is part of what makes the relationship work. If you need to step back from the platform for a period, just let us know.

You are not expected to be a healthcare professional, and we do not want you to feel that weight. But if something worries you, a change in how someone seems, a fall, something they have said, report it through the app immediately. Families are notified and can take action. You are the eyes and ears on the ground, and that is genuinely valuable. We will always support you in raising concerns.

Yes. Companions working through the Gerry platform are covered by public liability insurance for visits arranged and confirmed through the platform. This is one of the reasons we ask that bookings always happen through the app rather than being arranged informally.

We understand that trust and connection develop quickly, and it can feel natural to continue informally. But insurance, vetting, and payment protections only apply to bookings made through Gerry. If a family asks you to work off-platform, the kindest thing for everyone is to explain that and keep things through the app. It protects you as much as it protects them.

The app is how everything runs. You confirm bookings, log check-ins at the start and end of visits, write a short note after each visit for the family, and communicate with Gerry. Families have access to a dashboard where they can see visit notes and booking history. It takes a few minutes per visit and families consistently say it is one of the things they value most.

After each visit, you write a short note in the app: a brief description of what you did, how the client seemed, anything worth sharing. Think of it as a friendly update to the family, written in your own words. There is no template to fill in. It should sound like you.

The app is designed to be simple. If you are comfortable sending a message on your phone, you can use Gerry. When you join, we walk you through it and you can ask us questions at any point.