A HUSBAND and wife, who know first-hand the challenges of caring for a loved one, are using this experience to support and advise people about their private and business affairs.
Safeguarding Futures is run by Steve Parsons and his wife Melanie, who are based in Northampton where they care for Steve’s dad, Peter, who has Alzheimer’s.
The couple were living on their narrowboat, Dragonfly, enjoying some time off work as their children had grown up and flown the nest. When Steve’s dad got his diagnosis in 2015, they headed back to Steve’s home town so they could support and care for him in his own home. They were then able to put to good use their experience of working in the financial sector and health and social care field in East Yorkshire.
Since setting up Safeguarding Futures in the summer of 2017 the couple now offer services including wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, along with care fee funding advice and personal and business protection from life cover to critical illness and income protection.
Steve, who was an Independent Financial Adviser for 16 years, is also now an authorised representative of Cooper and Parks Financial Services in London.
The personal experience of the couple, who have children aged 26 and 24 and last year celebrated the birth of their first grandchild, has been invaluable when working with clients either in their own homes or workplace.
“We wanted to ensure that my dad, following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, could live as independently as possible, for as long as possible so we did not have recourse to care homes,” said Steve.
“We believe everyone deserves access to independent advice. Our ethos at Safeguarding Futures is to protect everyday (and sometimes vulnerable) people and small businesses from all of life’s perils at a price they can afford with a friendly approach without them feeling overwhelmed by the process.”
The couple, who are both registered carers, have close links with Northamptonshire Carers and also volunteer at Healthwatch, Northamptonshire. Melanie has 35 years’ experience in health and social care and gives much free advice to clients who are trying to navigate through this difficult area.
For further information see the website at www.safeguardingfutures.co.uk or call 07795 578700 or 07904 480154.