PrimeCarers

Companionship careHampshire

A companion who shares their interests, in Hampshire

Keeping up the things they love is most of what makes a day good. This page shows what Hampshire offers for each interest, and how to find a live-in carer who shares your mother's or father's.

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Interest 1

Walking in Hampshire

Hampshire walking runs from open heath and ancient woodland in the New Forest to the chalk ridges and river valleys of the South Downs, much of it on gentle, well-made tracks.

Somewhere to go

Tall Trees Trail at Rhinefield

Brockenhurst

A short loop walk among tall Douglas firs and redwoods on the Rhinefield ornamental drive in the New Forest. A carer can drive to the car park, set an unhurried pace and turn back at any point, so the outing stays short if energy runs low.

Getting around: The loop has a gravel or firm grass and gravel surface, and nearby New Forest Reptile Centre paths are compacted gravel.

Source: newforestwalks.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Petersfield

A large chalk downland and woodland park in the South Downs just south of Petersfield, with waymarked trails and a visitor centre. A carer can plan a short out-and-back from the car park and use the cafe and visitor centre as a rest point.

Getting around: The park is partially accessible for wheelchair users and prams, with an accessible toilet next to the visitor centre.

Source: accessiblecountryside.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

A companion walks at their pace, knows when to turn back, and drives to the flat, well-surfaced routes so a short walk is still possible when a long one is not.

Live-in carers who enjoy walking

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 2

Gardening in Hampshire

Hampshire has a long nursery and plant-collecting tradition, and its sheltered river valleys hold some of the best known gardens in southern England.

Somewhere to go

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Romsey

A 180 acre garden and tree collection built up by the Hillier nursery family, with seasonal borders, a winter garden and a cafe. A carer can pick one or two areas rather than the whole site and bring a folding seat for pauses.

Getting around: One or more routes around the gardens are accessible to wheelchair users.

Source: ngs.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Mottisfont walled garden and grounds

Romsey

A National Trust house beside the River Test with a walled rose garden famous for old roses in June, plus riverside lawns and cafes. A carer can book a wheelchair or the buggy service in advance and time the visit for a quieter weekday.

Getting around: Wheelchairs can be borrowed, a buggy service runs, and there are accessible toilets and ramped or level entrances, though some paths are uneven.

Source: nationaltrust.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

Potting on at a table rather than kneeling, deadheading from a stool, visiting gardens with level paths and a tearoom: a carer keeps the garden in their week.

Live-in carers who enjoy gardening

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 3

Cooking & Baking in Hampshire

Hampshire food is shaped by its chalk streams and farmland, with watercress beds, pork, game and market town producers at its centre.

In the calendar

Winchester Farmers' Market

Winchester

A twice monthly farmers' market in the city centre selling Hampshire bread, meat, fish, fruit and preserves direct from producers, on the second and last Sunday, 9am to 2pm. A carer can help with the walking and carrying so choosing ingredients stays the enjoyable part.

Source: visit-hampshire.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

A carer does the lifting, the hot trays and the washing up, so the recipes, the judging and the tasting stay with the person who knows them.

Live-in carers who enjoy cooking & baking

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 4

Music in Hampshire

Hampshire has a strong choral and cathedral music tradition alongside long running town festivals and amateur choirs.

In the calendar

Lunchtime concerts at Winchester Cathedral

Winchester

Short concerts by local musicians and school pupils in the Lady Chapel most Tuesdays, from 1.15pm to 1.50pm. The length suits someone who tires easily, and a carer can arrive early because seats are limited and given out first come first served.

Source: winchester-cathedral.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Petersfield Musical Festival

Petersfield Festival Hall, Petersfield

A long established annual festival of choral and orchestral concerts held at the Festival Hall, which was built for it and opened in 1935. A carer can book seats near an exit and arrange transport so an evening concert is still possible.

Source: makingmusic.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

Old records, a choir concert, singing along in the kitchen. Music often stays with people long after other things fade, and a companion who enjoys it makes it part of the day.

Live-in carers who enjoy music

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 5

Dancing in Hampshire

Hampshire's civic halls and community centres keep afternoon ballroom and sequence dancing going, a habit that goes back to the county's garrison and market town social life.

In the calendar

Tea dance at Princes Hall

Aldershot

An informal afternoon of ballroom, Latin and sequence dancing with a break for tea and coffee at Aldershot's civic theatre. A carer can go along as a partner or simply sit with them at a table, since sitting out some numbers is normal here.

Source: visit-hampshire.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

From tea dances to seated movement to music, a companion can find the right session, drive there, and make sure it is enjoyable rather than tiring.

Live-in carers who enjoy dancing

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 6

Fishing in Hampshire

Hampshire is chalk stream country, with the Test and the Itchen among the best known trout rivers in England and still-water fisheries fed by the same clear springs.

Somewhere to go

Avington Trout Fishery

Itchen Abbas

One of the oldest still-water trout fisheries in the country, with three clear lakes and a carrier stretch of the River Itchen, available on day tickets. A carer can handle the booking, carry the tackle and sit alongside for a half day rather than a full one.

Source: visit-hampshire.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

A carer can sort the permit and the tackle, drive to a bank spot close to the car park, and bring the chair, the flask and the patience.

Live-in carers who enjoy fishing

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 7

Photography in Hampshire

Hampshire gives photographers heathland, wetland and coast within a short drive, along with a network of camera clubs in its towns.

Somewhere to go

Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve

Ringwood

Former gravel pits near Ringwood now managed as lakes and woodland by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, with bird hides good for winter wildfowl and kingfishers. A carer can drive to the centre, push a wheelchair along the surfaced paths and settle in a hide where waiting for a shot is comfortable.

Getting around: There are 8km of rolled gravel paths suitable for wheelchairs and electric buggies, hides have ramped access, and gates open with a RADAR key.

Source: hiwwt.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

A companion can plan an outing around the light and the tide, carry the kit, and help sort the pictures afterwards.

Live-in carers who enjoy photography

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 8

Painting in Hampshire

Hampshire's light on water, from the Solent shore to the chalk rivers, has long drawn painters, and the county keeps an active amateur art scene.

In the calendar

Hampshire Open Studios

An annual August art trail when artists across the county open their studios, homes and galleries to visitors free of charge. A carer can ring ahead to check for steps, then plan two or three nearby venues in one afternoon.

Source: visit-hampshire.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

Setting up the table, washing the brushes, finding a gallery with a lift: a carer handles the practical side so the time goes on the painting.

Live-in carers who enjoy painting

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 9

Reading in Hampshire

Hampshire is Jane Austen country, and its libraries and village reading groups carry on a strong literary habit.

Somewhere to go

Chawton House library and gardens

Chawton

The Elizabethan manor once owned by Jane Austen's brother, now a library and museum of early women's writing, with gardens and a terrace. A carer can tell staff in advance that help is needed, since wheelchair users visiting alone will need assistance.

Getting around: The ground floor Library, Great Hall, Old Kitchen and Library Terrace Gardens are open to visitors, and staff make arrangements for wheelchair users who need assistance.

Source: chawtonhouse.org. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

Library trips, reading aloud when eyes tire, audiobooks set up and ready, and somebody to talk about the book with.

Live-in carers who enjoy reading

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

Interest 10

Sports in Hampshire

Hampshire has a claim to be where cricket grew up, and its towns run slower paced versions of familiar sports for older players.

Somewhere to go

Broadhalfpenny Down, the cradle of cricket

Hambledon

The downland ground where Hambledon played from the 1750s and which hosted an early first class match in 1752, still used for cricket today. A carer can bring chairs and a flask for an hour of watching, with the Bat and Ball pub opposite as a warm alternative.

Source: broadhalfpennydown.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Walking football at Alton FC

Alton Football Club, Alton

A slower version of football for players over 50, run by Alton Football Club to keep people active whatever their fitness. A carer can provide the lift, stay for the session and help with kit and hydration.

Source: altonfc.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

How a companion helps

Watching the match together, a trip to the bowls green or the cricket, or gentle exercise done safely with someone alongside.

Live-in carers who enjoy sports

Carers list their interests on their profiles. Search live-in carers in Hampshire and the ones who share this interest are shown first.

From interest to introduction

How to find a carer who shares their interests

  1. 1

    Search with their interest

    Use the link under any interest on this page. It opens a search of live-in carers in Hampshire with the carers who list that interest first; nobody else is hidden, so you still see everyone who could come.

  2. 2

    Read the profiles

    Each profile shows the carer's interests next to their experience, the conditions they have cared for, their day rate and their reviews. Shortlist two or three.

  3. 3

    Talk about it when you meet

    Message and meet them for free. Ask about the hobby: someone who really gardens will tell you what they grow. Nothing is booked until you decide.

  4. 4

    Settle in

    We set up the contract, handle invoicing and payment, and arrange insurance for platform visits, within the policy’s terms (no clinical procedures). The rest of the week is theirs to fill.

Charlotte, account manager at PrimeCarers

Charlotte

Account manager for families in Hampshire

Charlotte helps families in Hampshire arrange companionship care

Most families start with a call: what your relative needs, what it would cost, which carers share your parent's interests, and whether live-in care or companionship visits suit them better, and what to ask a carer when you speak to them. Charlotte has those conversations every day and can tell you which of the carers in Hampshire might suit, though the choice is always yours.

Questions

Questions about hobbies and companionship in Hampshire

Yes. Getting out is a normal part of a live-in carer's week: a walk (Tall Trees Trail is a good one), a garden visit, a choir concert, the bowls club or a lunch with friends. Many carers drive, and the search shows who does. Mileage is only charged if you agree it in advance and in writing, and 55p a mile is the usual figure when a carer uses their own car. Entry tickets and cafe stops for the carer are worth agreeing up front too.

Use the link under the interest on this page: it opens a search of live-in carers in Hampshire with the ones who list that interest shown first, and the rest still there below them. Every profile shows the carer's interests alongside their experience, rates and reviews. Message the ones you like, and talk about the hobby when you meet them: it is the quickest way to tell whether the interest is real.

For live-in care it matters more than people expect. A live-in carer shares the house for weeks at a time, and the hours between the care tasks are most of the day. Somebody who likes the same programmes, games or garden fills those hours naturally. It is still second to experience and temperament, so treat it as a tie-breaker between good carers rather than the first thing you filter on.

Live-in care through PrimeCarers is typically about £1,120 a week, with our fee included, and each carer sets their own rate, shown on their profile. That covers somebody living in and helping through the day. If your parent needs company rather than round-the-clock help, hourly companionship visits start from about £15 an hour. Companionship care in Hampshire compares the two.

Then the interest comes to him. A carer can bring the garden to a table on the patio, put the old records on, set up the jigsaw, read the paper aloud or play cards most afternoons. The interests further down this page are mostly the ones done at home, and plenty of carers share them.

Each local suggestion was researched from published sources, and every one on the page has passed a check before appearing: either it was found on a map inside Hampshire, or its source page, which we link to, is live and names the area. Anything that failed was left out. Opening times, prices and access change, so check with the venue before you go, especially for gardens such as Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, where it is worth asking ahead about wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Yes. Before a carer appears on PrimeCarers they have passed an enhanced DBS check, an identity check and a right-to-work check, and recorded an online interview, with renewal or rechecks depending on the accepted route. Carers write their own profiles, including their interests and skills, so ask about anything that matters to you when you meet them. How we check carers sets out each step.

Find a companion in Hampshire

See live-in carers with their photos, interests, rates and reviews, and talk to your favourites for free. Nothing is booked until you say so.

Free to searchNo obligationID and DBS checkedYou choose the carer