Is country-cousins.co.uk Legit?

This is my 10th year working for Country Cousins and it will be my last. What used to be a personable, family run company that was a joy to work for has become a poor run corporate business with no respect for carers or clients. I feel uneasy each time I have to ring the office as the girls are under so much stress it is evident in the way they handle situations. Rot seeping down from the top.

Using Country Cousins since Jan 2024. Acting as point of contact for a very good friend who found himself for the first time a situation which needed live in care. It has been quite a journey. Sharon Croley the Country Cousins care co-ordinator has always been able to provide carers. She has been very honest and professional in resolving any issues. Getting a good match between client and live in care is something that is hard. Sharon has worked with us to get the best result and has been there through all the ups and downs.I would give Country Cousins 5 stars but I want any readers if this review to realise live in care is a journey, something to be worked at and taken seriously.

Having been with country cousin +years have co-ordinater Portia and she has been really helpful and we have a friendly chat checking how things are going. She will check that our dates are correct to going to each client and any problems just to let her or colleagues take message to pass on.

Excellent experience with Kelly Rossi from Country Cousin, professional approach and well pointed evaluation of the client. The placement goes very well , the care recipient, Eileen very happy with me , I spoiled her with kindness, cooking every fresh meal, helping with assisting medication, changing stoma bags. Family happy for the proper match , thanks to Kelly.

Not a good agency for carers or client would not recommend, run by youngsters who haven't a clue. No longer a family run business but appears a corporate company that's all about money

My mother had a live in carer from Country Cousins for two weeks to enable my wife and I to take a holiday.The registration process was straightforward and thorough. (Be open and honest during this process, the better the information given, the more successful the match will be!)The carer offered looked good on paper, and after a phone call with both myself and my mother, she was booked.My mother had a great fortnight, she managed to get out more, had company, and with the comfort of staying in her own home. So glad she chose this option rather than 2 weeks respite in a care home!

I have worked as a live-in carer for Country Cousins for over 8 years now. The Care Team are lovely and empathetic toward the carers and clients alike. Team Leader, Kelly, is super and works to ensure an excellent relationship between the carer and the family 👍 Kelly and the rest of the Team deserve the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and more, they do an excellent job.

Debbie was very helpful and informative. She listened to our dilemma and supported us in our decisions about our mother.

After finding out the average cost of employing an overnight carer, we were pleasantly surprised when Country Cousins informed us of their services and corresponding costs. We decided to give them a go for a 5 night stay over and arranged everything through a very helpful lady called Kelly.Kelly assured us that she had just the person to suit our requirements and she was right. Norma turned up as promised after a pre meet phone call and she was absolutely perfect. Norma was professional to the core as well as being empathetic and patient with my mother in law who isn’t the easiest woman to deal with. Kelly stayed on the ball with follow up phone calls to ensure we were happy with their service and I can only say that we intend to use Country Cousins as many times as possible before the inevitable happens.

Portia Mouatt at Country Cousins has been very helpful, supportive and kind in helping arrange care for my mother. She responded very quickly to a last minute need for a carer last week with efficiency and with much patience too.

At the beginning of May 2024 the live-in carer that had been with us for seven years gave us notice (28 days) that she was leaving and returning to Croatia.We contacted Country Cousins and explained we needed a live-in carer. Long story short they sent us the CV of a carer they would highly recommend. Following a phone call with the new carer and our acceptance of her, she arrived on 28th May, the day before our carer was leaving. Since then everything has been perfect. Two weeks ago we went through a two week changeover and again this went very smoothly.

Having been working for Country Cousins, l have found Portia Mouatt as the best relationship executive.She checks up on a carer on placement and is a great listener.She provides great support.lm proud to be working under her.

Since October 2022 we have had 18 different carers.Sharon, recently arrived, appreciates the consequences of a succession of carers for clients. My wife is anxious before a new carer arrives and, as her reasonably fit husband, I need to be on hand for the first week at least to help the new carer settle in.Sharon is aiming for just 2 carers working back to back. Sharon arranges for a new carer, well before she starts, to phone me. Then Sharon checks that I am happy with that person. Also sends to me that carer's profile. After the carer has been in post a while then checks that all is going satisfactorily.I am very impressed that she wants to see that the care situation is as good as it can be.

I hardly know where to begin! The carers have been amazing, clearly well trained, always patient, kind and thoughtful and cheerful companions. This despite at times being short on sleep, dealing with incontinence, falls and stubbornness from my elderly mother. Everything has been done to a high standard, from the fresh cooked meals, ensuring she is always clean, properly dressed and safe. In addition to keeping her apartment immaculate and dealing with all the laundry. As a family we will always be grateful for their wonderful care.

Two carers in particular were just terrific - Roseline Katsaumire and Emanuel Magarira. Both really engaged with my father and made him feel special. They made our lives so much easier and we can't thank them enough.Also the office backup was excellent, getting carers arranged and sorting any problems swiftly and efficiently.

I have worked with Portia Mouatt and Samantha Phillips for 4 years or more now. I can honestly say that she has always been honest with every placement that she has ever given myself, I find Portia to be understanding, supportive, warm, caring and consideration when placing me on assignments. If ever there is any issue Portia has never objected, or shy away from dealing with issues within any placements that she has Assign me too. Overall I wish there was more like Portia and Samantha Phillips Samantha Is sweet and gentle, however under no circumstances take her kindness for weakness, when every Samantha gives you a placement she will contact the family to make sure you are doing what is needed of you. Samantha knows I dislike long distance work placement, however if she was to ever call me and ask me to go to Wales for e.g. I would never hesitate. Understand, loving, warm, friendly PATIENTS is just a few words I can use to describe Samantha Phillips. In all honesty I can say I am honoured to be working with these lady's. I have never might them in personal, but I can say I trust them with any placements they give me. And Lord knows I'm not easy at the best of times. 😊

We contacted Country Cousins to assist with care for our Mother. Initial sales call was positive. Lots promised including choice of carers. We paid an initial consultation fee. Then no communication or answers to further questions. No carer was offered. Still waiting for a refund of the consultation fee. When we needed care, Country Cousins were clearly not able to support this.

My father received live in care for approximately two and a half years from Country Cousins before his death in December.During that time my fathers home was treated with utter disrespect.The bedroom used by the carers was left filthy.Air vents were covered,curtains and blinds broken and mould covered window and windowsills.Wet washing dried on the radiator had caused the large radiator to be covered in rust requiring sanding down and repainting.As a family we find this treatment of the family home disgusting especially when we consider how much money we have paid for this service over the years.

My aunt has had a full-time live-in carer, Vivian since February 2023. She is wonderful; so caring, kind and very understanding. We couldn't hope for more support and help.The relief carer, Bertha, who replaces Vivian when away for a well-earned break, is also wonderful.Thank you both very much for all you do to look after my aunt.

I have liaised with Sylvie Kalandrikova regularly in setting up and managing my 90 year old aunt's care arrangements. Unfailingly helpful,considerate and effective, Sylvie has made my task as light as possible. Her ready grasp of my aunt's requirements and character have resulted in 2 excellent carers now in post back to back. It's been a pleasure to have Sylvie as my ready point of contact. I shall turn to her when my turn for care transpires down the line! Douglas Rolland