Across the river, still close by
Our office on Lodge Road is a short drive from Bitterne over Northam Bridge or Cobden Bridge. Plenty of Bitterne families have lived in the same house for decades and want to stay there. Our job is to make that possible for as long as it is safe.
Many of the people we support on this side of the river have family who have moved away for work. Being able to ring one local agency, and get an honest update after each visit, takes a lot of worry off them.
Bitterne homes, and what they mean for care
Bitterne covers a lot of different housing: older villas and terraces around the old village and Bitterne Park, 1930s semis, and the post-war estates towards Harefield and Thornhill. Hills are part of life here too, which matters when someone is unsteady on their feet or using a frame.
For people who are still mobile, our carers help with the things that get harder with a slope involved: carrying shopping back from Bitterne Precinct, getting to the bus, or a gentle walk in the park. For those who are mostly at home, we focus on making the house work: safe stairs, a bathroom that is easy to use, and everything they need within reach.
Families caring for someone with dementia
A lot of our Bitterne calls come from husbands, wives and grown-up children caring for someone living with dementia, often for years, with very little break. We offer respite visits so you can rest, and regular dementia care built around a steady routine and familiar faces.
Our senior team includes registered mental health nurses with NHS experience in older people's mental health, so dementia is something we understand well.
Getting to appointments across the city
From Bitterne, Southampton General is on the far side of the city, and for someone who no longer drives that can mean two buses, a long walk across the hospital site, and a lot of anxiety about getting there on time. Many people simply stop going, which is how small problems become big ones.
Our carers can go with them: help them get ready, get there, sit in on the appointment if they want company, and write down what the consultant said so the family has it too. The same goes for GP surgeries, opticians, the dentist and the shops at the Precinct. Getting out with someone they trust often brings their confidence back.
When more help is needed
If needs grow, care can grow with them: from one visit a day to several, overnight support, or a live-in carer who means your parent never has to leave the house. We will always be straight with you about what level of care is safe.
Questions from Bitterne families
Do you cover Bitterne Park as well as Bitterne?
Yes. We cover Bitterne, Bitterne Park and the surrounding streets. Call us if you are not sure about your road.
Can you help a family carer in Bitterne get a break?
Yes. Respite care can be a regular few hours each week, overnight help, or cover while you go away.
Do you offer live-in care in Bitterne?
Yes. A live-in carer can support your parent round the clock in their own home.