Press Release - Home and pet sitting offers flexible employment for older jobseekers looking for new challenges in 2020

Posted on 27 January, 2020

The majority of Brits plan to move jobs in 2020, according to new research from CV-Library,[i] which found that 64% people want to find a new job this year. The beginning of the year is the most popular time for job hunting with 77% of respondents saying January is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.

Many job hunters are seeking a better work/life balance and for older people, in particular, this may mean working part time even if they have officially retired. Moneywise[ii] published research in October which found that over a quarter (28%) of retired respondents still work part time, a trend that looks set to grow with less than half of pre-retirees (48%) planning to give up work altogether when they retire.

Homesitters Ltd, the UK’s leading home and pet sitting company employs active individuals and couples in their 50s, 60s and 70s who are animal lovers who want flexible employment. The company is recruiting new homesitters this January to meet growing demand from clients who prefer to use a home and pet sitter when they holiday, rather than place their pets in kennels and catteries.

The benefits of the role include travelling around the UK, spending time with pets and the chance to break away from a routine life while earning a modest remuneration to boost a pension.

Karen and Neil Oddy from Sidcup in Kent became homesitters after taking early retirement in their 50s from successful careers in the City of London’s financial sector. They wanted to travel more and achieve a more relaxed lifestyle.

The couple are animal lovers and Karen was keen to get a pet once they retired. However, as the couple have a holiday home in Portugal, which they visit often, they decided it would be too impractical to have a pet of their own.

Karen spotted an advert in a magazine for Homesitters Ltd and realised they could turn their love of animals into a flexible career that would fit around their travel plans.

After attending an interview with Homesitters Ltd they were employed as homesitters. Their work is in sharp contrast with their former lives as busy city professionals. Now the Oddys are able to spend time with animals, which they adore, and explore different parts of the UK and stay in fabulous homes in the countryside.

This energetic and sporty couple love the outdoors, dog walking and spending time in nature. If they’re on an assignment without a dog they might play 9 holes of golf instead, and on a couple of homesits they’ve stayed in homes with gyms or tennis courts which they have been able to use.

Neil says, “The initial attraction was the chance to spend time with pets, however, when we started taking on assignments we quickly found other benefits. When we both worked full time we’d take our holidays abroad, but as homesitters we get to explore the UK and visit areas we’ve never been to before.”

Having always lived in a city the couple are really enjoying the opportunity to spend time in the countryside. They say it feels like a holiday.

Karen adds, “We are really enjoying spending quality time together. It’s such a contrast to when we had young children and worked full time and had to schedule a date night to spend time together!”

“We explore a lot, walk around local villages and enjoy pub lunches. I was worried I might feel restless in the evenings, but the time flies and sitting with a dog on my lap in the evening is heaven for me. We stay in such beautiful large houses that I feel like the Lady of the Manor for the week!”

For more information on becoming a homesitter visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

Ends

About Homesitters Ltd

Homesitters Ltd was established in 1980 and is now the UK’s leading nationwide live-in home and pet sitting companies, available throughout the year. It has looked after 100,000 plus bookings and has an extensive network of employees throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

All homesitters are meticulously vetted and are conscientious, sensible and responsible homeowners. Many have been pet owners and have experience looking after all different types of animals. It’s tantamount to the outstanding reputation and professionalism of the company that 70% of new clients re-book with Homesitters within two years and many have been clients since the 1980s.


[i] https://www.personneltoday.com/pr/2019/12/new-year-new-employees-majority-of-brits-plan-on-moving-jobs-in-2020/

[ii] https://www.moneywise.co.uk/pensions/retirement/great-british-retirement-survey-results-revealed

Tags:

Share this: