By Your Side Companions with Lou

16/03/2026

Happy Monday 💜

05/03/2026

80's 90's mix to the beach , with a lovely coffee and a walk 💜

What a beaut day to be out and about. Great way to spend the afternoon

05/03/2026

Lovely way to start a Thursday 💜

Getting out & about in the sunshine 🌞

27/02/2026

Here’s what the last few weeks have looked like… 💜

✨ Coffee trips and catch-ups
✨ Walks (when the weather has been kind!)
✨ Dental appointments
✨ Garden centre visits
✨ Medication support
✨ Cleaning and home help
✨ Meeting and welcoming new clients

I’m so grateful to share that I’ve taken on three new clients this past month — which is just amazing. Thank you all so much for your continued support, recommendations and kindness.

I’m currently at full capacity, with a waiting list in place for when I’m able to offer more support. I truly feel so thankful to be in a position where I can help and support our community every day.

Thank you, always 💜

21/02/2026

“A few years back I wrote this poem which was shared by Dementia Friends. I had been to visit my mum at her care home, and it was a particularly difficult visit, so I found some comfort in the poem.

"My mum sadly died last November, and my daughter read the poem at my mum’s funeral. A few of those who attended said how poignant and powerful it was.

"I hope re-sharing the poem could be of a comfort to those who are coming to terms with a loved one’s illness. My mum is now in the stars and my dreams.”

Thank you so much to Simon for sharing this beautiful poem and touching story 💙

If you are affected by dementia and need someone to talk to, trained staff are ready to give you the support you need. You can all our Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456.

19/02/2026

18/02/2026

I originally started this venture alongside a good friend, sharing the same passion and vision for delivering compassionate, person-centred care within the community. As the journey has evolved, I now continue this venture independently, carrying that same dedication and commitment forward.

I have over fifteen years of experience in the care industry and during that time I’ve been fortunate to work in a variety of roles, building a broad and hands-on skillset across all aspects of care.

I began my journey as a Care Assistant, visiting clients in their own homes and supporting them to live independently. After a year, I was offered a role at a local GP surgery as a Health Care Assistant, where I continued my personal care work alongside my NHS duties.

I spent twelve years working within the surgery, supporting the nursing team and working closely with vulnerable adults as part of the Frailty team. This role strengthened not only my clinical skills but also my understanding of how important dignity, patience and continuity of care truly are.

Most recently, I work as an HCA with Crane Valley Community Nursing, providing care and support to people within the community, ensuring all their individual needs and requirements were met with kindness and professionalism.

Outside of my work, I am a proud mum of three and also have stepchildren, so family life is at the heart of everything I do. In December, we are getting married — an exciting new chapter for us all. My role as a mum and partner has shaped the way I care for others, with patience, empathy and understanding at the centre of it all.

18/02/2026

Most people assume dementia is something that just happens with age. But the truth? How you live today can shape your brain for decades to come.

Every choice: the way you move, eat, and connect with others - builds resilience. Small steps now can protect your memory, your independence, and your quality of life in the future.

10/02/2026

Life changes in an instant after a haemorrhagic stroke, and around half of people who are affected do not survive.

Thankfully, when it happened to Natalie's dad in 2025, he did survive.

'I'd been in the office all day,' Natalie remembers. She rang her parents to check in on them, 'We were scheduled to go on a trip that we were all excited about.'

Her parents explained that her dad had been feeling unwell throughout the day and was not quite himself. He was dizzy, frequently bumping into things, had a severe headache, and his blood pressure was very high when they tested it on a home monitor.

Because her dad did not have the three most common signs of stroke—face drooping, arm weakness, and speech problems, known as the FAST test—no one initially suspected a stroke.

At first, her parents were reluctant to contact a health professional, wanting to ‘avoid making a fuss’. But after some convincing, they rang 111.

An appointment was made for Urgent Care, which was quickly escalated to an A&E visit.

'When I arrived to pick them up,' Natalie said, 'they explained an ambulance had been offered but, not wanting to inconvenience anyone, they turned it down.' So Natalie drove her parents to a regional hospital further away.

Once there, after initial tests, the seriousness of the situation became clear. In a small consultation room in the early hours of the morning, Natalie was told her dad 'has a large and severe brain bleed'.

‘The news came as a huge shock and the effects will impact us forever as we navigate this new version of family life.’

Natalie admits that before it happened, she had ‘limited knowledge of strokes… but the parts I did know about, like FAST, were not relevant when my dad had a “massive brain bleed”.

'I felt compelled to create this sketchnote as I don’t think any of us could have predicted his stroke from his symptoms, because they didn't align with the traditional FAST signs.

‘Of course, a little cartoon in a sketchnote can’t fully convey everything we saw that day, or how my dad felt,’ she says, ‘but if it helps even one person become more aware of the lesser-known signs of stroke, then it will be worth it.’

11/10/2025

Such a lovely Care home in West Moors xx ❤️

29/07/2025

Oh why hello there little mouse ...

Catch me if you can 🤣

10/07/2025

Lovely morning walk over spetisbury this morning followed by a coffee at the newly opened Old Parlour.