Introducing Sparrow
Anna and Tom started Sparrow because we believe care works best when you’re free to choose the carer that’s right for you.
As carers ourselves, we discovered that self-employed care has so many advantages – the freedom to truly get to know our clients, the time and space to provide unhurried, personalised support, and the ability to build genuine long-term relationships. We were also finally paid fairly for our care work and, best of all, we could help our clients to save money too.
We loved caring directly for our clients and wanted to encourage more carers to consider becoming self-employed. That’s why we started Sparrow. We work hard to find exceptional people, give them everything they need to become self-employed carers, then connect them with people who need care. It’s been a pleasure to connect our growing network of carers with clients throughout Northumberland and beyond, and the feedback we’ve had from both carers and their clients has been heartening.
Our aim remains unchanged: to help clients find outstanding care directly from highly skilled carers in their local area.
If you're looking for care in Northumberland, Tyneside or Cumbria, get in touch. We'd be happy to talk through your needs and help you to find the right carer for you.
Why are you called Sparrow?
Because nothing symbolises freedom and independence better than a bird. We want all carers to have the freedom to work independently and provide the very best care they can while earning a fair wage.
Sparrows are understated but charismatic birds that are sociable and industrious. They work together to do many of life’s chores, foraging, preening, dust-bathing and roosting together. We thought this made the humble sparrow the perfect metaphor for a network of well-connected, independent carers.
How Sparrow works
We’re an introductory agency, not a care agency. We don’t manage or oversee care. Instead, we find exceptional people, vet them carefully, and support them to become self-employed carers. Then we connect them with people looking for care.
Once we’ve introduced you to potential carers in your area, you meet them and choose the carer or carers that are right for you. Your carer then works directly for you – no middleman or agency in between.
We continue to support our carers with training, advice, and their admin so they can focus on caring for you. And if your needs change or you need cover, we can often help you find more care via our growing network.
You receive personalised care from someone you’ve chosen and trust. Your carer is paid a fair wage and you typically save money compared to agency care too.
Who we are
Sparrow is a family business run by brother and sister Tom and Anna. We are based near Hexham and our carers cover Northumberland, and parts of Cumbria and Tyneside.
Meet Anna
Anna has been a carer for almost a decade, with years of nursing experience before that. Anna still loves caring and helping to arrange the right care for people when they need it most. Anna helps identify and onboard our carers and clients.
When she’s not working, you’ll find her weightlifting, out on country walks, or planning her next holiday in the sun.
You can contact her at anna@sparrowcarers.co.uk or on 01434 444 888
Meet Tom
Tom worked in various roles including as a teacher, researcher, and operations manager before Anna suggested he start caring. While walking Anna’s dog Basil, he and Anna developed their ideas for Sparrow. Tom now takes care of much of the day-to-day management and operations of Sparrow.
He and his wife Amy have three young children who keep him busy at the weekend.
You can contact him at tom@sparrowcarers.co.uk or on 01434 444 888
Our board includes Anna’s husband Rob, our resident tech support coder and systems designer, and Tom’s wife Amy, who is a GP partner and advisor.