Home Instead - Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk

10/01/2026

We are looking forward to being part of this event next Saturday the 17th January🩷

🌟 Harrogate Kindness Festival – 17 January 2026 🌟

We’re thrilled to be part of the steering group behind this wonderful event and to be there on the day!

📍 Where: St Aidan's Church of England High School
🕚 When: 11am – 3pm
💛 Cost: Free for the public

Join us for a day celebrating kindness in all its forms. There will be 50 stalls from local charities, businesses, and organisations, all dedicated to making the world a little kinder. Each stall will have information about what they do, but will have an interactive free activity for the everyone (of all ages) to enjoy!

Feeling peckish? Resurrected Bites will be running a pop-up café onsite, so you can enjoy some food and drink while exploring the festival.

Come along, connect with your community, and help spread a little more kindness into the world. We can’t wait to see you there! ✨

10/01/2026

When families first get in touch, they often tell us the hardest part is how to start the conversation about care with a parent.

Not because their mum or dad needs lots of help, but because the word care does not feel like it fits.

Many people have spent their lives working, running households, supporting others and making decisions. Being offered care can feel like a step backwards.

What we often find works better is reframing the idea completely. Instead of “you need help”, it becomes “would it be nice if someone came round for an hour a week to help you sort the photos, get the garden back on track or tackle those boxes in the spare room”.

Very often, just one hour a week can be enough to keep routines going, build confidence and give families reassurance.

Support does not have to mean losing independence. Sometimes it simply means having someone alongside you to get things done.

If you are curious about how even a small amount of support could make a difference, our team in Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk is happy to talk on 01423 774490 or via homeinstead.co.uk/harrogate-ripon-thirsk

08/01/2026

You ring mum during the week and she sounds just like herself.

She chats about the weather, tells you she is fine and asks how work is going. Then you visit at the weekend and notice the milk is out of date, the post is still unopened and she seems tired after just a short conversation.

It can feel confusing and even a bit unsettling.

This happens more often than people realise. Phone calls are familiar and brief, which makes them easier to manage. Many older people can draw on well practised phrases and concentrate their energy for a few minutes.

Being together in person is different.

Over time you start to notice routines, energy levels and small changes that simply do not come across on the phone.

It does not mean they are pretending or hiding anything. Often it means they are working hard to stay independent in the ways they know how. Trusting what you notice in person is important, and it is often what prompts families to start gentle conversations about extra support.

If this feels familiar and you are not sure what the next step is, our team in Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk is happy to talk things through on 01423 774490 or you can find out more about how support at home can provide care and reassurance on our website homeinstead.co.uk/harrogate-ripon-thirsk.

08/01/2026

Our Care Professionals ensure that your favourite sports are
never missed!

Did you catch John and Ben last weekend? They’re the stars of
our new idents for Love Your Weekend.

John will be the first to say that in cricket, the first over is sacred!
A moment he can share with his Care Professional.

06/01/2026

We are dancing in the New Year with La La Land for our next dementia friendly cinema at Everyman Cinemas Harrogate - see below to book your place 😀

06/01/2026

If you are visiting family and one of your loved ones lives with dementia, younger children may feel confused, awkward or worried about saying the wrong thing. It can help to talk things through before the visit and give them simple ways to understand what is happening.

1. Explain that dementia can make people forget things or say unexpected things, but it is not anyone’s fault.

2. Reassure them that it is okay if the conversation feels a bit different or slower than usual.

3. Let them know that repeating a story or question is part of the illness, not something they have caused.

4. Suggest they talk about familiar things like school, pets or favourite foods rather than asking tricky questions.

5. Remind them that being kind, smiling and listening is more important than knowing what to say. A little reassurance can help children feel more confident and make visits calmer and more enjoyable for everyone. To learn more about how to support someone with dementia visit our website homeinstead.co.uk/harrogate-ripon-thirsk.

04/01/2026

Today, we recognise how Braille helps people who are blind or have very low vision stay informed, confident, and independent. In the UK, almost 2 million people live with sight loss, and around 360,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted, yet only about 12,000 people read Braille.

Many people believe learning Braille later in life will be too difficult, but with the right support it can still open new possibilities. It can help with everyday tasks, reading, and simple labelling around the home, helping life feel easier and more in control.

If you or a loved one is experiencing sight loss, the RNIB offers fantastic learning resources and guidance. And you are never alone. Our Care Professionals are here to support you every step of the way.
https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/

03/01/2026

Starting a new year often makes us think about what really matters and for many people that includes finding work that feels meaningful.

Being a Care Professional is one of those rare jobs that gives back to you as much as you give to others. You learn new skills, grow in confidence and go home knowing you have genuinely brightened someone’s day.

Sometimes it is the simplest things that make the biggest difference, like a good chat, a listening ear or helping someone keep a familiar routine.

If you are looking for a role that feels right for you and brings purpose as well as joy, this could be the start of something special.

Apply online at link.applytocare.com/fbps or call our recruiter on 01423 774490 to learn more about being a Care Professional in Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk.

01/01/2026

Even a one hour visit can make a real difference, supporting independence and giving someone something to look forward to each week.

To find out how we support companionship and everyday support at home in Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk, call 01423 774490 or visit homeinstead.co.uk/harrogate-ripon-thirsk.

01/01/2026

Home Instead is proudly partnering with ITV's popular Sunday
morning show, Love Your Weekend 🌟

Starting today with a New Year Special, you'll be seeing our brand
on ITV almost every Sunday morning throughout the year,
celebrating life's simple pleasures and the value of a great
weekend.

This partnership reflects our commitment to promoting quality
of life for older adults across the UK. Keep an eye out for us
during the ad breaks, we'll be bringing you amazing moments
every 2-hour episode! ✨

Set your alarms for 9:30 am every Sunday! We can't wait for you
to join us.

01/01/2026

We begin the year thankful for the people who make what we do so meaningful, and proud to continue supporting our community in the year ahead 💚🥳

30/12/2025

Giving up driving is often talked about as a loss of independence, and it is understandable why families worry about that.

What is not always spoken about is what can be gained instead. With the right support in place, loved ones can still get out, keep routines and stay connected to their community, without the worry or risk that driving may now bring. Support can mean safer journeys, familiar trips and the confidence of knowing someone is there to help, so independence is not taken away, it is supported in a different way.

For a friendly conversation about keeping independence and safety in balance, contact our Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk team on 01423 774490 or find out more at homeinstead.co.uk/harrogate-ripon-thirsk.