In West Sussex, companionship care cost per hour is usually in the same range as other home care: roughly £28–£38 an hour in 2026, with higher rates for evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Many agencies set a minimum visit length for companionship, often an hour or more, so a weekly visit is rarely cheaper than the price of one or two hours.
If paid care is not affordable or not needed yet, free befriending services can help with loneliness. This guide covers both, plus practical ideas for keeping an older person occupied and connected at home in Worthing and Adur.
Companionship care cost per hour in West Sussex
Companionship carers are usually employed by the same agencies that provide personal care, so the hourly rate is similar. Here is what a few typical patterns cost, using indicative West Sussex rates of £28–£38 an hour.
| Companionship pattern | Hours a week | Indicative weekly cost |
|---|---|---|
| One 2-hour visit a week (shopping and coffee) | 2 | £56–£76 |
| Two 3-hour visits a week | 6 | £168–£228 |
| One hour every weekday afternoon | 5 | £140–£190 |
| A 4-hour sit so a family carer can have a break | 4 | £112–£152 |
These figures are a guide. Actual quotes depend on the agency, the time of day, travel and whether the carer drives the person out. Ask whether mileage is charged on top of the hourly rate — it often is.
Why companionship is not cheaper than personal care
Families often expect “just company” to cost less. It usually does not, because the agency’s costs are the same: the carer’s wages and travel time, training, insurance, supervision and the office. The Homecare Association calculates a minimum sustainable price of £34.42 an hour for homecare in England for 2026/27. See our home care cost guide for more detail.
Can you get help paying for companionship care?
Attendance Allowance (£76.70 or £114.60 a week in 2026/27) is not means-tested and can be spent on anything, including companionship. If a family carer is doing most of the caring, a companionship visit may also be arranged as a carer’s break following a carer’s assessment from West Sussex County Council. Check what the person may be entitled to with our free funding checker.
What is included in companionship care?
A companion carer spends time with the person and helps with the practical and social side of life. It usually includes:
- Conversation, reminiscence, and simply being there
- Walks, trips to the shops, cafés, the seafront, the library or a club
- Escorting to appointments, such as the GP, hospital or optician
- Light meal preparation, hot drinks and washing up
- Help with letters, phone calls and video calls to family
- Hobbies, games, puzzles and gardening
- Keeping an eye on wellbeing and reporting changes to the family
Companionship on its own does not include personal care such as washing, dressing or help with the toilet. An agency that only offers companionship and household help does not need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission, because it is not providing personal care. If you think personal care may be needed soon, choose a CQC-registered agency so the same carer can do both. Our guide to what a companion carer does covers this in more detail.
Befriending service Worthing: free and low-cost options
Befriending services are run by charities, mostly with volunteers. They are not a substitute for care, but regular contact can make a real difference to someone who is lonely. Waiting lists are common, so ask early. These are services we have checked:
| Service | What it offers | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Age UK Telephone Friendship Service | Free weekly phone call with a trained volunteer at a set time | People over 60 who can hold a phone conversation |
| The Silver Line (run by Age UK) | Free, confidential helpline, open any time on 0800 470 80 90 | Older people who want someone to talk to |
| Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove — Home Visiting Service | Weekly home visits for company, games and short walks; ask about costs | People over 50 who are lonely or isolated |
| Time to Talk Befriending | One-to-one and group befriending, including dementia-inclusive support | Older people in Brighton and Hove, Adur and Worthing |
You can sign up for the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service online. Age UK says there is currently a wait of around 8 to 10 weeks, and suggests calling The Silver Line in the meantime. For local visiting services, contact Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove or Time to Talk Befriending directly.
For more local groups and activities, the West Sussex Connect to Support directory lists community services by area. Our guide to companionship care and loneliness explains how to spot when isolation is becoming a problem.
Befriending or paid companionship?
Befriending is free, friendly and usually weekly, but volunteers cannot always commit to fixed times, cannot help with care and may not be able to drive the person out. Paid companionship is reliable and flexible, and can be combined with personal care. Many families use both.
Activities for elderly people at home
Good activities are ones the person enjoyed before, adapted to what they can do now. A few that work well, whether with a family member, a companion carer or a befriender:
- Reminiscence: old photos, local history books about Worthing or Shoreham, favourite music from their teens and twenties.
- Cooking and baking: simple recipes, with the person doing as much as they safely can.
- Gardening: pots on a windowsill or patio, bird feeders, seed planting.
- Games and puzzles: cards, dominoes, large-print crosswords, jigsaws with fewer, larger pieces.
- Gentle movement: seated exercises, short walks, dancing to music. The NHS has free seated exercise guides for older people.
- Staying in touch: video calls with grandchildren, writing letters, looking at family social media together.
- Getting out: a coffee on the seafront, the library, a lunch club or a place of worship. Community transport can help — see our guide to transport support for older people.
- Purposeful tasks: folding laundry, sorting buttons or polishing — small jobs that give a sense of being useful, which can be especially helpful for people living with dementia.
For people with dementia, keep activities short, calm and familiar, and stop if they become tired or frustrated. Our guide to dementia-friendly Worthing lists local groups and places to go.
If you are also looking at other kinds of practical help, see our guide to meals, shopping and transport help in West Sussex.
Find care near you
Tell us your postcode and what you need help with. We pass your details to one vetted CQC-registered agency in your area — you are told who they are, and that they pay us a fee, before anything is sent.
Frequently asked questions
Is companionship care cheaper than personal care?
Usually not by much. Most agencies charge a similar hourly rate because their costs are the same, though some charge slightly less for companionship-only visits. Always compare the full quote, including mileage.
What is the minimum visit for companionship care?
It varies by agency, but many set a minimum of an hour, and some prefer longer visits of two or three hours for companionship. Ask before booking an assessment.
Is befriending free?
Most befriending schemes run by charities are free, including the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service and The Silver Line helpline. Some home visiting services may ask for a contribution, so check when you contact them.
Can a companion carer take my mum out in their car?
Many can. Check that the carer’s car insurance covers business use, and ask the agency how mileage is charged.
Can companionship care help someone with dementia?
Yes. Regular company from a familiar person can help with routine, mood and confidence. Choose an agency whose carers have dementia training, and one that is CQC-registered in case personal care is needed later.
The Care Panel is an independent publication. We are not a care provider and are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission, because we do not deliver care. Always check a provider’s own CQC registration and inspection report before you commit.
Written and fact-checked by The Care Panel. Last updated September 2026. Sources: Age UK Telephone Friendship Service and The Silver Line, Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Time to Talk Befriending, Care Quality Commission guidance on personal care, Homecare Association, GOV.UK Attendance Allowance. General information, not financial, legal or medical advice — figures are indicative and subject to change.