A retired couple, Barbara and Lawrence Blackwood, aged 72 and 75, have found a unique way to stay active and explore more of the UK in their retirement by participating in home-sitting. They started this endeavor in 2017, which involves taking care of people’s homes and sometimes their pets while they are away.
Barbara, a former administrative secretary, and Lawrence, a retired police officer, now engage in approximately one home-sit per month, allowing them to be away from home for almost half of the year. Barbara expressed that after retiring, they didn’t want to be idle, and home-sitting perfectly suited their lifestyle.
Home-sitters typically earn at least £333.06 for a two-week assignment without pets, with additional compensation for looking after two dogs and a cat during the same period. The responsibilities of home-sitting entail about one hour and 45 minutes of daily duties, including a daily food allowance and reimbursement for travel expenses related to the assignments.
In addition to the financial benefits, home-sitting has helped Barbara and Lawrence save money on utility bills, particularly during the colder months in Scotland. Barbara estimates that they save 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 has enjoyed traveling extensively throughout Scotland, exploring various locations they may not have visited otherwise. Lawrence emphasized the flexibility and diversity of home-sitting, describing it as a self-catering holiday with rewarding responsibilities.
Their primary focus during home-sitting remains the well-being of the animals under their care. Barbara highlighted their commitment to ensuring the pets feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their usual routine. With nearly a decade of experience in home-sitting, they often receive repeat assignments, with some families welcoming them back regularly since their start in 2017.
Barbara expressed their contentment with this lifestyle, stating that home-sitting has provided them with a fulfilling way of living that they truly cherish.