What to expect when you visit Caring Places
A friendly walk-through of what happens at a free taster session, what to bring, and what to ask.
The free taster session
The best way to know if Caring Places is right for your loved one is to come and see. We offer a free, no-obligation taster session any Thursday. There's no commitment, no pressure to sign up, no charge.
Typical taster visits last between an hour and a full day, depending on what feels right for the person attending. Some families pop in for 45 minutes for a tour and a chat. Others stay for the full Thursday so the person can experience a real day.
How to book a taster
Three ways:
- Call 01332 288790 any weekday between 9am and 5pm
- Email contact@caringplacesltd.co.uk
- Fill in the contact form or the interest register and we'll come back to you within 24 hours
What we'll ask before you arrive
To make the visit comfortable, we'll have a short phone call to find out:
- Who's coming (the person, and one or more family members or carers)
- Any communication preferences (Makaton, PECS, visual schedules, or just plain spoken English)
- Any sensory considerations (lights, sounds, particular triggers we should know about)
- Any access needs
- What you'd most like to get out of the visit
If your family member finds new situations stressful, we can send a visual schedule and photos of the space in advance so they know what to expect before arriving.
What to bring
- A packed lunch and drink, if you're staying for the day (we have a fridge)
- Any communication aids the person uses
- Any sensory items (ear defenders, fidget toys, comfort objects)
- A list of questions you want to ask
What happens during the visit
You'll be greeted at the door by a member of the team. We'll do a tour of the conservatory, the activity room, the garden and the facilities. If the person attending wants to join in with whatever's happening, they're welcome to. If they'd rather observe quietly, that's fine too.
While the person is settling in, we'll chat with the family about what life looks like now, what you're hoping for, and how Caring Places might fit.
What happens after the visit
No pressure. We'll send a friendly follow-up note within a couple of days. If you want to book regular Thursdays, we'll arrange a planning meeting to map out a personal plan. If you want to think about it, that's fine. We're not going anywhere.
Questions visitors often ask
- "How much does it cost?" Depends on the support ratio your family member needs. We discuss costs openly during the taster.
- "Who pays?" Local Authority packages, Direct Payments and self-funding all work. See our funding guide.
- "Can we start with one Thursday a month?" Yes. Start with whatever frequency works, build up if it's the right fit.
- "Do you do transport?" Yes, door-to-door via our trusted partner.
- "What if our needs change?" We adjust the plan. People grow, change, have good days and harder days. We're built for that.