More Than Homecare: Supporting Our Community to Stay Safe, Well and Independent
Published: 17/10/2026
Supporting Our Community to Stay Safe
At Right at Home Maidstone, we believe that great care extends beyond the people we support every day. As a local homecare provider, we're passionate about helping people across our community stay safe, well and independent in their own homes, and sometimes it's the little things that can make the biggest difference.
That's why we recently spent the day at ASDA Kings Hill giving away more than 50 free community wellbeing bags packed with practical items designed to support wellbeing and safety at home.
The event was led by Ayesha, Director of Right at Home Maidstone, alongside Registered Manager Lesley, with support from Ayesha's sister, who kindly volunteered her time to help distribute the bags and speak with members of the local community.
It was wonderful meeting so many people throughout the day, hearing their stories, sharing advice and having conversations about the challenges many individuals and families face as they grow older or take on caring responsibilities for loved ones.
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More Than Just a Wellbeing Bag
Each wellbeing bag contained a selection of carefully chosen items designed to support everyday wellbeing and home safety, including a reusable water bottle, a room temperature gauge and a privacy stamp.
While they may seem like simple items, each one was selected because it can play a small but important role in helping people stay safe, healthy and independent in their own homes.
Throughout the day, we also shared practical advice and information about hydration, staying safe at home and protecting personal information.
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"What's the Catch?"
One of the comments we heard most often throughout the day was:
"What's the catch?"
The answer was simple: there isn't one.
As a local homecare provider, we genuinely care about the wellbeing of our community. If a temperature gauge helps someone keep their home at a safer temperature, a water bottle encourages better hydration, or a privacy stamp helps protect somebody from fraud, then those small actions can still make a real difference.
Care is built on trust, compassion and looking out for one another. While many of the people we met may never need our services, supporting people to stay safe and well before they reach a point of crisis is just as important to us.
"If there is a catch, it's simply that we hope people remember Right at Home Maidstone as a trusted local organisation should they or a loved one ever need support in the future."
– Ayesha Qureshi | Managing Director, Right at Home Maidstone
Small Items, Big Impact
One of the most popular items in the wellbeing bags was our room temperature gauge.
As winter approaches, it's understandable that many households are looking for ways to manage rising energy costs. However, maintaining a safe and comfortable temperature at home is particularly important for older adults and those living with health conditions.
Many people don't realise when temperatures within their homes become too cold, especially when they're sitting still for long periods of time. The temperature gauges provide a simple visual reminder, helping people identify whether their home is within a comfortable range.
While putting on an extra jumper can certainly help, it's equally important that our living environments remain warm and safe, particularly during the colder months.
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Staying Hydrated Through the Seasons
Our reusable Right at Home water bottles were another favourite amongst visitors.
Hydration is something that's often associated with hot weather, but it's just as important during the colder months. Many older adults are at greater risk of dehydration because the sensation of thirst naturally reduces as we age.
Throughout the day, we shared advice about the importance of staying hydrated, common signs of dehydration and simple ways people can build hydration into their daily routine.
Symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, dizziness, confusion and dark-coloured urine can all be signs that somebody isn't drinking enough fluids.
The water bottles were designed to provide a simple reminder to keep drinking regularly throughout the day, whether at home, out shopping or spending time with friends and family.
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Simple Steps to Protect Personal Information
The privacy stamps sparked plenty of interest and conversations.
Many of the people we spoke with told us they regularly tear up or even burn documents containing personal information before throwing them away. Whilst effective, this can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
The privacy stamp offers a quick and simple alternative by helping to obscure personal details before paperwork is disposed of.
Many visitors hadn't previously considered how easily personal information can be accessed if documents aren't disposed of securely. It was encouraging to see how much interest there was in practical ways to stay vigilant against fraud, scams and identity theft.
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Supporting Families Caring for Loved Ones
Some of the most important conversations we had throughout the day were with family members supporting loved ones at home.
Many shared the challenges of balancing caring responsibilities alongside work, family life and other commitments. Some expressed concerns about whether they were doing enough, while others admitted they often put their own wellbeing last.
We were able to remind families that they are already doing their very best and that asking for support is not a sign of failure.
In many cases, introducing support from a trusted care provider can actually strengthen family relationships. Instead of being consumed by worry, guilt or exhaustion, families can spend more quality time together, creating meaningful moments and simply enjoying being a son, daughter, spouse or friend again.
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Raising Standards in Homecare
We also spoke with several people who shared disappointing experiences of the homecare sector.
While it was difficult to hear, these conversations reinforced exactly why we opened Right at Home Maidstone and why we remain committed to delivering the highest possible standards of care.
Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect. Families deserve peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe, supported and receiving the quality of care they expect.
Building trust takes time, but it starts with listening, understanding and consistently delivering on the promises we make.
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Looking Ahead
We would like to thank everyone who stopped to chat, accepted a wellbeing bag and took the time to share their experiences with us.
Events like these remind us that care is about much more than providing support in someone's home. It's about being part of a community, sharing knowledge, promoting wellbeing and helping people remain safe, independent and connected for longer.
We look forward to attending more community events in the future and continuing to support people across Maidstone and the surrounding areas, one small step at a time.