The Five Good Friends difference: Helper matching
How we match you with your ideal Helper
Building deep friendships is incredibly important in life. From our first childhood chums to lifelong buddies, to friends we meet for a season, they bring joy, support, and a sense of belonging. At Five Good Friends, friendship is at the heart of everything we do - after all, it’s in our name!
We know that when people feel connected to their homes, communities, and the people who come into their lives, their health and happiness improve. That’s why it’s so important that the Helpers who support you are people you genuinely enjoy welcoming into your home.
We want our Helpers to become familiar faces. To be people you look forward to seeing, who bring warmth and companionship, and with whom you can build a real relationship.
So how do we make that happen? Let’s take a look at how our Helper matching system works and how it can help you live a better life in your own home.
How does Helper matching work?
At Five Good Friends, we call our carers or support workers ‘Helpers’. We chose this name because it perfectly describes what friends do: they help you live as independently as possible in your own home.. They’re there to support your goals and help you to live well at home with confidence. We want our Members to have both control and connection when it comes to choosing the people who help them. True partnerships are built on mutual respect and understanding, and that connection is far more likely to grow when you share genuine common ground.
That’s where our matching technology comes in. We use smart tools to give you the best chance of finding a Helper who you can build a true connection and friendship with.
The process starts as soon as you join Five Good Friends. Through our software called Lookout you’ll create your personal profile, sharing details about your interests, hobbies, and what matters most to you. Our software then searches for Helpers who share similar interests, values, and skills. You’ll receive a shortlist of potential matches, either curated by you through the app or with help from our team.
These profiles don’t show personal details like names, photos, or ages, but you’ll be able to read about each Helper’s background, qualifications, rates, and availability. This helps you discover what you might have in common and decide whether you’d like to meet someone in person.
What if I can’t find someone right away?
If none of the initial matches feel right, that’s completely fine. We’ll simply send you another list of potential Helpers. That way you can continue to review Helpers that might suit, until you find someone you want to meet. We’re committed to making sure you find someone who’s a good fit. So, if you meet a Helper and realise it’s not quite working, you can always let us know. We’ll help you keep searching until you find the right person.
We have a large network of Helpers, so there’s an excellent chance we’ll find someone who’s the perfect match for you.
Ultimately, we want your relationship with your Helper to become a long-term and collaborative partnership. And while it can sometimes take a little time, our Members and Helpers tell us that when they find the right relationships, it’s worth it.
Choosing different criteria for different Helpers
Many of our Members have different needs that call for different Helpers. You might need help with personal care, like dressing or getting ready for the day. But you might also want support getting to university, attending events, or enjoying social outings.
Different types of care require different kinds of people, and our system helps you tailor your choices.
For personal care, you might prefer someone of the same gender, or someone with specific qualifications to help you move safely and comfortably. You can include these preferences in your match request, so they’re taken into account from the start.
For social activities or getting out and about, you might feel differently. Perhaps gender isn’t as important, but you’d love someone closer to your age who shares your love of music, books, or going to see live bands. Shared interests can make all the difference in enjoying time together and building a genuine connection.
At Five Good Friends, we believe that care should be tailored to you. Finding Helpers who truly understand you is one of the best ways to make that happen.
Are you ready to get started? Get in touch with us at Five Good Friends to find out more about how we help people lead engaged and successful lives in the homes and communities they love.
In this blog
Share
