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Paying For Companionship Expenses

Making it easy for Clients to enjoy coffee, cake, and the community.

At Kingsway Care, we believe that good home care goes beyond help at home. It’s about bringing joy, variety, connection and companionship into our Clients’ lives. Whether that’s a walk in the park, coffee at a favourite café, or picking up a few bits from the local shops.

Companionship outings with a friendly Kingsway CareGiver could be just what your elderly parent needs. Find out easy ways to pay for special days out or food, drinks and shopping.

Kingsway CareGiver with Client mooching around Shoreham

Kingsway Care Client, Pat loved her morning mooching around the vintage emporium in Shoreham followed by a coffee and chat.

How To Pay Companionship Care Expenses?

We’re often asked by families, “How do we pay for companionship expenses when my parent wants to go out with their CareGiver? Should we leave money in an envelope?” It’s a great question – and one that comes up often when companionship visits include lovely outings.

To make things simple and secure, we offer several flexible options for handling Client expenses. That way, every Client can enjoy the little treats and outings they love, without fuss or confusion.

1. Cash Option – Simple and Traditional

Some families prefer to leave a small amount of cash at home for outings.
The CareGiver will:

  • Take the money for the outing
  • Bring back a receipt and any changeIt’s a straightforward option that works well for low-cost outings like tea and cake at a local café or a bus ticket into town.

2. Using the Client’s Debit Card – Not Allowed

For safety and transparency, CareGivers are not permitted to use a Client’s debit card.
This protects both the Client and the CareGiver and keeps financial boundaries clear.

3. CareGiver Pays and Claims Back

In some cases, a CareGiver might choose to pay for something themselves and claim it back later, but we know this isn’t ideal. We don’t want our CareGivers to be out of pocket, especially when there’s a better option…

4. The Cleva Card – The Easiest, Most Secure Option

To make outings stress-free and more enjoyable, we recommend the Cleva Card – a pre-paid debit card designed specifically for home care.

How it works:

  • The Kingsway Care office load money onto the Client’s Cleva Card (the amount will be included on the next invoice)
  • The CareGiver uses it just like a regular debit card
  • Receipts are uploaded, so families can see exactly what was spent
  • The CareGiver isn’t left out of pocket, and everything stays secure and trackable

Extra peace of mind:

  • Families can log in to check balances, view spending, or ask us to upload more funds
  • The cost is just £5 per month
  • All transactions are visible and clear

Whether it’s fish and chips on the Hove seafront, shopping in Shoreham, or a trip to the Wings Aviation Museum in West Sussex – the Cleva Card makes it easy to say “yes” to new experiences.

Kingsway Care's Jonathan takes Don out for a special day at the Wings Aviation Museum in West Sussex

Senior Kingsway CareGiver, Jonathan, takes Don, an RAF veteran, out for a special day at the Wings Aviation Museum in West Sussex.

Encouraging Independence and Wellbeing

Our Clients thrive when they stay connected to the Brighton, Hove & Worthing community around them. Getting out of the house for a change of scene, some fresh air, or a nice lunch can lift the spirits and make a big difference to wellbeing.

We’re here to make that happen – safely, easily, and with plenty of smiles (like Molly's below) along the way.

Professional CareGivers You Can Trust

All Kingsway CareGivers are handpicked for their big hearts and genuine passion for helping others. They are fully DBS checked and trained to support both older people and younger adults with disabilities, including those living with mobility challenges, sensory impairments, or dementia.

Kingsway Care team at the Hove HQ

Handpicked CareGivers, DBS checked, and trained to support both older people and younger adults with disabilities.

Hourly Home Care Visit Costs (May 2025)

Hourly visits with a trusted and friendly Kingsway Care professional start from £33 per hour (£35 per hour at weekends), with any additional expenses for outings, food or drinks transparently added and paid for using your preferred method. If your parent is reluctant to accept home care visits, companionship visits and outings are a great way to get started.

Contact Us Today

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of companionship outings for your loved one, just get in touch. We’d love to help.

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