About Us
At Stay Connected, our mission is simple: to bring warmth, friendship and reassurance to older people in Penarth and the surrounding area who maybe feeling disconnected from their community. We understand that loneliness and social isolation can affect wellbeing, which is why we focus on providing meaningful companionship.
Every service is tailored to the individual, shaped by their interests, preferences and needs, so that support feels personal and uplifting. By encouraging independence and offering peace of mind to families, we ensure that every client feels valued, connected and supported in their daily lives.
Our Story
Mel and Rachel are the co-founders and Managing Partners of Stay Connected. Having known each other since nursery school, their enduring friendship embodies the values at the heart of their business – trust, reliability and genuine care. Each has backgrounds in the education sector, as well as personal experience caring for their own grandparents, which has deepened their understanding of the importance of companionship and support in later life. As lifelong residents of Penarth, they are dedicated to giving back to their community by providing meaningful companionship for older people. Together, they are committed to delivering personalised support that promotes wellbeing, independence, and a true sense of connection for every client and their family.
Melanie Gape-Wood
With over two decades of experience in primary education, I have spent my career nurturing and supporting individuals with additional learning needs, with a particular focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Away from work, I enjoy the outdoors, I love walking, exercising and spending time on the water especially paddle boarding. I am also passionate about the arts, especially painting and crafting and love sharing creative activities with others. I also enjoy solving puzzles, keeping up with sports and spending quality time with friends.
Rachel Glover
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Spanning twenty years in the education sector as both a primary school teacher and deputy head, I bring a wealth of caring experience and a deep understanding of individual needs to my role as a companionship provider.
In my spare time I love nothing more than a chat over a cup of tea, enjoying a friendly game of cards, or diving into a good crossword or book. I love board games, trips to the cinema and theatre, and anything that sparks curiosity or connection. Equally though, I also love watching and listening to sport, with a particular fondness for cricket and rugby.
Our companionship providers each hold an enhanced DBS certificate and have been trained by the Alzheimer’s Society in ‘Understanding Dementia and Engaging with People in the Early Stages of Dementia’. They are also qualified first aiders and hold ‘Adult Safeguarding Level 2’ certificates. All of our companionship providers come from education or healthcare backgrounds and are carefully selected for their compassion, reliability and suitability for the role.