Serving the Toronto area, Neighbours’ actively advertises and promotes, maintains and manages an easy to use on-line database of Support Providers providing the connection and enabling Clients to identify qualified, appropriate Support Providers in their neighbourhood. Neighbours’ offers support and guidance to both “Clients” and “Support Providers”.

Neighbours’ offers the following advantages when seeking support care for oneself or a loved one.

	The individual connection between the Client / Client’s family and the Support Provider. The parties involved agree upon required duties, responsibilities, communication, reporting, remuneration etc.
	All remunerations paid go directly to the Support Provider. Typically agencies pay their employees approximately 50% – 60% of the hourly rate charged to Clients. Neighbours’ enables the Client and Support Provider to negotiate a rate that can benefit them both. (Toronto agency rates are approximately $16.95 to $18.95 per hour and upward.)

There is no mandatory minimum booking. Most agencies require a minimum of four hours per visit. Clients and Support Providers make their own arrangements.

As an independent contractor the Support Provider determines how many hours they want to work and what services they want to offer. A Support Provider may wish just a few hours a week to augment an income or provide interaction in the community. Others may want to work full time for one or two Clients or build a full time career with a number of Clients. Neighbours’ objective is to provide the medium and support for contact between those wishing to provide a service and those in need of support.

	There is a nearby neighbour whose schedule allows him / her to make a check in visit in the morning and assist the Client dressing (dealing with those troublesome buttons, zippers etc.) or just make sure everything is o.k.; change a light bulb if necessary, take the garbage to the curb on garbage day etc.
	There is a nearby neighbour willing and able to drop in after work and prepare a light meal and  provide some conversation; perhaps once / twice a week or perhaps nightly.

		There is a nearby neighbour willing to make a daily check in telephone call and run a simple errand if required; dropping off that quart of milk or picking up that forgotten prescription on their way home in the evening.
		There is a nearby neighbour happy to accompany the Client on that daily walk the doctor ordered; offering contact and companionship.
		There is a nearby neighbour who is an avid gardener and would love to help the Client work in their garden. The Support Provider delighted to have a little extra income to buy that new rosebush and providing the Client with involvement and interaction.

	There is a nearby neighbour willing to provide outings; for lunch, a shopping trip, the theatre, a gallery, bingo, a neighbourhood event.
	How about “a walk and a talk”; a nearby neighbour willing to walk the dog and provide a little conversation afterwards; monitoring the well being of the Client and providing reminders about medication etc.
	There is a nearby neighbour willing to do a weekly grocery shopping and spend an afternoon pre – preparing meals for the week.
	There is a nearby neighbour that is an amateur genealogist willing to help the Client trace and record their family history providing an interest, interaction and mental stimulation for the client.
	There is a nearby neighbour that shares a special interest; be it art, the symphony, the opera, movies, or a game of backgammon, bridge, scrabble, chess or Gomoku. Perhaps the Client and Support Provider share a love of fine food and the adventure of trying a new restaurant.  By sharing and enabling the Client to pursue their interest the Support Provider can greatly enhance the quality of life for the Client and in return receive that little extra income that might enable them to enjoy an interest they might not otherwise be able to afford.
	Local professionals; hairstylist, manicurist, pedicurist or perhaps a retired or semi-retired accountant would be happy to make a house call for those with limited mobility.
“the possibilities are endless”……………….

Support Providers register with Neighbours’ completing our detailed profile. The Support Provider’s Profile indicates their neighbourhood (defined by a map location), main intersections and outlines their background, education, experience, special interests, languages spoken, services they are willing to provide, requested fee, etc. Support Providers pay a minimal fee ($22.00 including GST) to register and remain registered for 3 Months or until they notify Neighbours’ they have made a match(s). Neighbours’ manages this database on a daily basis ensuring all information is current.

Clients/Members pay a $150.00 (GST included) membership fee for three (3) months of unlimited access to the Support Providers database. Members can narrow their search by key search criteria, i.e. neighbourhood (defined by a map location) and main intersections, language skills, support required, experience and background preferred, special interests etc. and then review the profile(s) information to determine which Support Providers may make a good match. The Client controls who they wish to contact, interview and hire.

Clients also have the option of placing an ad on the Neighbours’ Site detailing their needs and allowing interested Support Providers to contact them.

Guarantee: Neighbours’ offers both Clients and Support Providers a further (3) months registration if no 'connection' has been made by the end of their initial registration. the Client or Support Provider is responsible for contacting Neighbours’ within a week of their registration ending.

For an additional fee Neighbours’ will conduct a  Support Provider Search and initial interviews for Client Members. Please contact as at (416) 825-1088 or e-mail us at info@neighbourhelpingneighbour.ca for more information.