Find trusted Chichewa-speaking carers

Music and dancing keep me going. So do card games and a good puzzle when I want to slow down. I bring that same energy into my work, based in Southampton, where I offer hourly, live-in and overnight care. Fourteen years in care have taught me that company matters as much as any task. I like to sit and talk, share a meal, or get out for a walk together. I've supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, learning disabilities and physical disabilities, among many others, and I always try to bring conversation and warmth alongside the practical help, whether that's bathing, dressing, medication reminders or moving and handling. I also speak Arabic, Chichewa, Southern Sotho, Tswana and Zulu, which sometimes makes a real difference for clients. I'd love the chance to meet you or your family and talk through what support would help most.

Care work suits me because I like being useful in practical ways, whether that is cooking a proper meal or simply sitting and talking things through. My name is Gari, and I offer live-in care in Barking. I speak English, Chichewa and Shona, which sometimes helps put clients at ease. Over ten years I have supported people with a wide range of conditions, including dementia, stroke, heart disease and respiratory illness, as well as arthritis, osteoporosis and orthopaedic injuries. I have experience with bedbound and end of life care, catheter care and hoist assistance, and I am comfortable with the fuller run of daily personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting, and help with eating and drinking. I also take on the cooking, laundry and general household tasks that keep a home running smoothly, and I am always glad of the chance for a proper chat or a bit of music along the way. I would welcome the opportunity to meet you or your family and talk through what support would help most.

I settle into a home for a fortnight at a time when I take on a live-in placement, which suits me. It means I can get to know someone's routines properly, learn how they like their tea, what music they enjoy, and be a steady presence rather than a passing face. I'm based in Barking and offer live-in care, drawing on 24 years in this work, and I speak English, Chichewa, Shona and Bemba as well. People who know me would say I'm calm and thoughtful, the sort of person who doesn't rattle easily and takes things at a steady pace. I've supported people through dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, heart disease and end of life care, among many other conditions, and I'm comfortable with the practical side too, from hoist assistance and catheter care to medication reminders and cooking proper meals. But what I care about most is the person in front of me feeling safe and unhurried. I love baking, puzzles, reading and music, and I'll happily bring those into the day, whether that's a shared crossword or something good cooking on the hob. If you think I might be the right fit for you or someone you love, I'd be glad to hear from you, no pressure at all.