A retired couple, Barbara and Lawrence Blackwood, aged 72 and 75, shared their experience of home-sitting as a way to stay active in retirement and explore more of the UK. Home-sitting involves taking care of someone’s home and sometimes their pets while they are away. The Blackwoods typically complete around one home sit per month, amounting to almost half a year away from home.
Barbara, a former administrative secretary, and Lawrence, a retired police officer, find home-sitting rewarding and a perfect fit for their retirement lifestyle. They receive a minimum payment of £333.06 for a two-week assignment without pets, while caring for two dogs and a cat pays £367.92 for the same duration. The duties involve about one hour and 45 minutes daily, inclusive of a food allowance, and reimbursement for travel expenses.
In addition to the financial benefits, home-sitting has helped the couple save on utility bills, especially during the cold winter months in Scotland where they reside. Barbara estimates saving around £47 per month during a winter assignment of three to four weeks and an average of £31 per month from September to April.
The couple values the experiences home-sitting offers, allowing them to travel extensively across Scotland and care for a variety of animals. They enjoy the flexibility and variety of assignments and find it fulfilling to enable pet owners to go on worry-free holidays. Barbara emphasized their commitment to ensuring the well-being and comfort of the animals they care for, prioritizing their safety and routine.
After nearly a decade of home-sitting, the Blackwoods have established repeat assignments with families welcoming them back since their start in 2017. They view home-sitting as a lifestyle that brings them joy and fulfillment, providing them with rewarding experiences and a sense of purpose.