Ellerbeck Private 1:1 Home Care Ltd

31/03/2026

Theres method in my madness...just hear me out...

People see me out and about at those special occasions through the year, Halloween...Christmas...Valentines & Easter - dressed in my wonderful season attire , they smile, they laugh..& many just look confused!

Im not out in my Christmas Tree dress or Bunny ears to entertain my children ( believe me they've suffered enough as youngsters on school runs!)

Do I wear these for the homes I visit they ask...Do I wear them to make them laugh,bring a little silliness to their day? Yes thats also correct..

But my real reason....

It silently helps many of them through the year to be part of the seasons . It unleashes little memories that are tucked up in their heads & these,crazy outfits help them to "keep in touch" with what part of the year it is, immediately eliminating the confusion when they see the weather through that window.
I must get asked 30x (at least!) in a day " is it August" " it looks cold out there, have we had christmas?"

When I bounce through that door with the silly outfits with a card and a gift, it answers for them. It immediately reduces the anxiety of actually asking the question, ..and remains with them whilst that card stays on their mantal piece, or for quite a few, they physically keep hold of that card, allll day & read it time and time again.

Yes it brings many smiles, many laughs & alot of excitement to see what Im wearing. & for many its a conversation starter in a somewhat withdrawn or silent world.

Yes I look ridiculous & pretty silly, - many say "ohhh your brave being out in that! 😆 "
This may be so, but if I dress for the season & it helps trigger happy memories from the past, brings a good laugh or helps someone be part of the time of year from inside their homes, then so be it.
When you see me out this week, in a Bunny outfit & ears ... Im doing the job I set out to do, Im keeping each one I visit tuned into the outside world. The laughs & smiles are a bonus ❤️
Theres method in my madness 😉

21/03/2026

Hi ! That piccy there is me 🙌 Leigh 🤗

I am "Ellerbeck". Im the life, the bounce & the love behind Private Home Care..

My career stretches over 30 years within the Health & Social Care & Mental Health Sector. Ive always lived and breathed for people, and their right to have care delivered the way they deserved.

10 years ago I couldnt bare working for an Agency any longer. Poor Management that concentrated on getting as many visits in as possible, spooling in money to tick boxes, Clients getting a heartbreaking 15 minutes of "care". I use the word "care" loosely as many carers I worked alongside, didnt have an ounce of care in their bones, or barely spoke a sentence to the clients.

I was called into the office on many occasions as I was spending longer than 15 minutes with them and told " we are not their friends Leigh, get in, do what's on the task list and get out"

Is that care ?

On so many occasions, I witnessed Carers doing a 5 minute wash / shower, skipping over crucial areas, rolling their eyes of the time it was taking ( or sitting on their phones)

Is that care?

Ive pulled Carers to one side and asked them to leave a Clients home when they've pulled the duvets off them and tried to sit them up within minutes of arriving.

Is that care?

A complete stranger on every visit, walking into their homes to help them have a wash, get dressed, change incontinent pads...the most private, intimate and un dignifying tasks for a human being - carried out by a total stranger.

Is that care?

I knew these people just needed Time & Love.
Its that simple.

I walked away with my head held high, I couldnt save everyone but I could change lives my way, and dedicated my life to setting up providing Private Care in Adlington & the surrounding areas. Providing genuine devotion & trust to these people & their families....And Ellerbeck was founded.

Dont get me wrong its been tough (very tough!!) The requirements, the legislations, the laws, the training, the Qualifications are all the things behind the scenes( dont get me started on collating Care Plans & Risk Assessments!) that people dont see. The hours and hours dedicated to studying to deliver care to the highest standards.

But I didnt need to study for what Ive always carried within me.
Love.
I love each & every one of my clients like a member of my own family.
No Head Office dictating. Its My way and the way THEY want it to be.

I know the ones that struggle to get out of bed in a morning, so off go the boots and I get in with them, we chat, we have a good giggle & the day begins.
We sing, dance, laugh & cry together.

When I bounce through that front door, its a genuine excitement to see them, - to catch up, chat & be part of their day. I think Im of the rare species that actually can't wait to go to work on a Monday Morning!

Each & every one of them know me, know my husband, know my kids, my hobbies, they live each day with me! If I attend a Gala Evening ( My husband pulls me to these..alot!) I take my dress & show the ladies & take photos to show them on my next visit!

They are part of my every day life. I devote EVERYTHING to these people. They deserve every second of my time, every hug, every smile, every hand hold & only the absoloute highest standards of care & support.

THAT is Care. 1:1 Private Trusted & Devoted Care. ..And thats how it should be delivered ✨️

18/03/2026

Surrounded by our stunning local area in Rivington, is just perfect for my Social Visit today with a wonderful lady to get her out on this gorgeous day in the sunshine! (for a Coffee & a Cake of course!) ❤️

15/03/2026

11/03/2026

When I say Ellerbeck provides Tailored Care & support, I mean it quite literally!

Alot of my Care Visits are with Dog Lovers..people that have had Dogs throughout their life & its a huge void when with so many, when they are at home on their own without a Dog.

Annabelle has always filled that void..she brings her tailored four paws on many visits & its incredible to see the change in someone's mood by her being around. (& Belle laps up being cuddled and chatted to!)

Whether that be visiting at home...or coming with us to a Coffee Shop, it can be the small things that make the biggest difference ❤️

05/03/2026

Look at that !! The Polo shirt is on, which means the sun is shining..Spring is on its way...& Summer is getting closer !...And that means MORE Sunshine bouncing through those front doors ! 😊

26/02/2026

Last Wednesday I proved to myself that being a Private Carer with all the Training (& hard work studying!) Potentially saved one of my clients lives.
Daily visits means I know her. Inside out.

I know her norm, I know her limits & I know her pace.

After a rocky few days of being unwell & resting in bed, upon arrival I recognised she was showing signs of low blood sugar levels- to others she just appeared tired, " a little under the weather" " a bit confused" and needing sleep.

Paramedics responded quickly and upon testing, her blood sugars were 2.1.
A patient falls into a Hypoglycemia Coma below 4.

I popped to the Hospital yesterday for a surprise visit & her smile seeing me, knocked socks off any amount of Qualifications Ive achieved.

In another scenario.. if she had been receiving Agency Carers having 4 visits a day with 64 different faces & not one truelly knowing her, - would this have been the same outcome?

Would they sit by her hospital bed belting out Elvis on You Tube & listen to her singing 🎶 "Suspicious Minds"

No.

I do what I do to change lives. Saving them is incredible ✨️

22/02/2026

✨️ Do you currently care for a loved one with assisted Personal Care?

✨️ Do you have a loved one that requires a little help or full support to shower or bathe?

✨️ Do you have a loved one you know needs help with Personal Care but refuses to.. & every attempt becomes a battle ground?

✨️ Or simply a loved one that needs assistance but you dont feel comfortable carrying out as a close relative?

I have a very rare availability from mid March for;

✨️8.30am-9.30am Monday - Friday✨️

This is available to Adlington, Blackrod or Horwich to support the current Clients either side of this time.

✨️ Various Packages available from Standard through to Advanced.

✨️The same face. No Agencies. The same time each day. Valued and respected routine & consistency built on trust & friendship- not ticking boxes. No rushed visits. Care at THEIR pace.

✨️My reputation & continual Outstanding Feedback speaks for itself
✨️ Est: 2019
✨️ Fully Insured
✨️Accessible Visit notes
✨️Accessible full Policies, Procedures, Qualifications, Training & Safeguarding Documents.

❤️ And most importantly.. Local Care the way it SHOULD be delivered ❤️

For further details or to arrange a no obligation consultation;

📞 Leigh Smith: 07438 626429
📧 hello@ellerbeckcare.co.uk
🌎 www.ellerbeckcare.co.uk

✨️Mon- Fri 7am-7pm✨️

16/02/2026

I am hearing, and reading more and more over recent months about Cleaners offering the ✨️Full Package✨️. Providing cleaning services along with Home Care / Personal Care for their Clients.

This not only makes me incredible angry that this is being advertised and offered, this is illegal & puts the elderly person at high risk.

Swishing a mop round in a bucket & helping Dorothy get up, washed and dressed are 2 completely different roles. - irrelevant if you " used to do care".

Home Care requires specific Insurances, Qualifications, Registrations, Policies & Procedures authorised by the Governing Body, Legislation Training, Strict guidelines in place. Consent Policies, VERY detailed Contracts, Care Plans in the Home, Risk Assessments documented,....the list goes on and on.

A Cleaner is VERY different from an individual professional providing Home Care and in the event of an accident, incident or God forbid the cleaner arrives to an emergency life / death situation they are not only not trained or qualified to deal with this, - there are no supporting documents in place legally that Government Requirements have been adhered to,to manage Care in the home OR popping them in your car to the shop.

Please please look into Homecare- there's plenty out there. You are putting your loved ones at a massive risk by trying to save costs 😔

13/02/2026

❤️ Oh I've been spreading the LOVE this week ! ❤️

Its been a tough week this week, with a hand full of lovelies not feeling tip top, also staying with one waiting for paramedics, one I said good bye to as they go to pastures new & one that simply missed her late Husband...
Its been emotional to say the least, but its amazing what a bouncy Carer in a daft heart jumper, a huge hug & a Cupcake can do! ❤️

Huge Thankyou to the amazing Karen's Kitchen
📌 Horwich. for putting love in a box for all at Ellerbeck ( and a spare one for me!!) 😘

10/02/2026

🛁 Aqua Phobia is very common in people with Dementia.

The fear of having a Bath or a Shower for someone with Dementia is progressively common.
Ive come across this so many times over the years,

✨️ Highly sensitive to water causing the temperature to feel too hot or too cold

✨️ A cognitive decline in Dementia increases the confusion to understand the purpose of actually washing.

✨️ Lack of Modesty un******ng infront of a unfamiliar faces or relative creates fear

✨️ Can make the individual very anxious & frightened seeing the water & being "told" they MUST get in & wash.

Dementia can accelerate every cognitive sense surrounding Baths or showers, senses are hightened and distress is very common.

Its not the individual "being awkward". Its a genuine fear.

Thorough training, a familiar face, a routine, a consistent calm approach - sometimes gradually over many weeks, creating a trusting rapour with a Carer that knows the techniques, knows the individual & are fully trained in Cognitive minds of individuals with Dementia is KEY ❤️