Extra Help – A Helping Hand for Everyone
At Extra Help, we believe that owning a home-help franchise is about far more than running a business. It’s about creating a service that genuinely improves people’s day-to-day lives.
A franchise that truly supports you
Joining Extra Help means becoming part of a family where you’ll never feel alone. From the moment you join, we aim to build your confidence and capabilities, because when you thrive, your business and clients thrive too. Our approach includes personalised training, ongoing guidance and regular opportunities to connect with our wider network through regional meet-ups.
Our tailored support is designed around you, whether you’re an experienced business owner or exploring the world of self-employment for the first time. Our franchisees come from a variety of backgrounds, and experience in the industry is not essential. Franchisees regularly tell us that the encouragement they receive is one of the most valuable benefits of being with Extra Help – a supportive team is always on hand to guide and encourage you.
A community built on kindness
One of the things that sets Extra Help apart is our strong sense of community throughout our franchise network. Franchisees connect through training sessions, one-to-one check-ins, weekly Power Hours and our Annual Conference, where they exchange ideas, build working relationships and celebrate their wins. This friendly, collaborative atmosphere helps everyone to succeed.
Many describe Extra Help as a community of like-minded people who are genuinely passionate about helping others. Whether it’s a quick check-in call with our experienced Head Office team, refresher training sessions or shared advice from fellow franchisees, Extra Help always ensures you feel connected.
Purpose that matters
Running an Extra Help franchise gives you the chance to make a real and visible difference in people’s lives and your work will be deeply rewarding. Helping someone stay independent at home, offering companionship to someone who’s lonely, or easing the burden on a busy family – these precious moments are at the heart of everything we do.
Our franchisees often talk about the feel-good factor that comes from this kind of meaningful business. In their own words, it’s about enriching lives and building strong reputations within their local communities based on compassion, integrity and trust.
Your journey starts with support
Extra Help gives you a tried-and-tested, easy to replicate business model, along with the tools and training to build something you’ll be truly proud of. With encouragement every step of the way, and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally, our franchisees find this journey deeply fulfilling.
Could you be our next franchisee?
If you want to combine your entrepreneurial spirit with meaningful impact, helping others while building a purposeful business, Extra Help could be the ideal next step in your career.
Further information
To find out more about Extra Help and how you can join our family, please click the Request More Info button below:
Our Annual Family Reunion! Extra Help Franchisee Conference and Awards 2025
Build on a Trusted Brand & Launch Your Home-Help Franchise with Confidence
Unlock Your Future with Extra Help
Building a Compassionate Extra Help Franchise in Plymouth & Saltash
Introducing Lulu Kuliabko…
When you meet Luda Kuliabko, known to everyone as ‘Lulu’, you immediately sense her warmth and genuine desire to help others – traits that are right at the heart of her successful Extra Help franchise in Plymouth & Saltash.
For almost ten years, Lulu has been building an Extra Help home-help franchise that’s rooted in compassion and care. From helping elderly clients with shopping and providing companionship, to supporting busy parents and household chores, Lulu and her team tailor their support to meet people’s daily needs.
Originally from Ukraine, Lulu met her future husband there in 2012 and relocated to England. With a desire to live by the sea, they initially lived in Exeter before settling in Plymouth.
“I wanted to be close to the sea,” Lulu says. “I didn’t quite realise how cold the ocean would be, but Plymouth more than makes up for it with its beautiful views and amazing places to explore, especially with my little dog, Banjo.”
Strength through adversity
Lulu still has close family in Ukraine, including her mum and elderly sister, whose lives are deeply affected by the ongoing war.
“My mum does a lot of charity work to support the front line,” Lulu explains. “Together with other women, she cooks and preserves food to send to soldiers. They are feeding and supporting our protectors – true heroes!”
Lulu’s sister lives in Odesa, a city that has faced constant attacks and long periods without power or water but, despite the danger, she refuses to leave.
When Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Lulu experienced a particularly difficult and emotional period in her life.
“I was crying every day, sometimes ten times a day – for three months!” she says. “It was heartbreaking and incredibly hard to stay focused, but I knew I had to stay strong for my family.”
However, despite the ongoing anguish over her family’s safety, she continued to grow her Extra Help franchise, drawing strength from her community.
“The support I received from Plymouth and Saltash was overwhelming,” she says. “The kindness, love and sense of safety I felt is something I’ll never forget.”
Finding the right opportunity
Lulu’s parents had always encouraged her to study hard and reach her full potential. She explains:
“My parents were very strict – my sisters and I always had to be the best at school. While others were enjoying free time, we were studying. At the time it felt tough, but now I’m incredibly grateful. They raised us to be responsible, respectful, and hardworking”.
Lulu had studied for eight years at college and university in Ukraine and already run her own business before moving to the UK. Although further studying at an English university was an option, she preferred to take a different path. She decided to search for a business opportunity and, when she discovered Extra Help, everything seemed to click into place. She purchased the existing franchise in Plymouth and Saltash, which she says enabled her to grow her business more quickly and confidently.
Building the business
When Lulu took over Extra Help Plymouth & Saltash, the franchise mainly focused on cleaning. As her confidence grew, she expanded her offering to include a range of daily support services, such as companionship, meal preparation and transport to appointments and social activities, and began working closely with Social Services. She says this was one of the best decisions she ever made.
Today, Lulu works with GP prescribers, hospital discharge teams, physiotherapists, supported accommodation providers and organisations such as Age UK, and this growth that has brought her both professional and personal rewards.
A reputation built on compassion
Lulu believes that her home-help franchise’s strong, local reputation is attributed to how her clients are treated.
“Every client is individual and special,” she says. “We listen, we respect them, and we genuinely care.”
She also ensures that these same values are instilled in her team of home-helpers.
“I always try to go above and beyond, and only look for kind, caring and responsible people to work with me. My team has been my biggest support over the years,” she says.
Lulu’s high standards are maintained through daily communication, training, spot checks and regular conversations with clients.
Keys to success
Lulu believes that, while hard work and dedication are essential in building a successful home-help franchise, Extra Help’s business model and ongoing support are the keys to her success.
“Extra Help is a unique and brilliant business model,” she says. “The support from their Head Office over the years has always helped me make the right decisions and choose the right path.”
Every day is different
Lulu says there’s no such thing as a typical day in the life of an Extra Help home-help franchise owner, and that’s what she loves the most about it. Every day brings different challenges and rewards, and Lulu thrives on that variety.
“I enjoy busy, stressful days full of rushing around, but I also value quieter office days when I can focus on new ideas and projects,” she says.
What matters most
While financial stability is important, people remain at the heart of Lulu’s Extra Help home-help franchise.
“Hearing positive feedback from clients is like music to my ears,” Lulu says. “Seeing real changes in people’s lives when we step into their homes is incredibly powerful.”
This dedication was recognised at the Extra Help Franchisee Conference last October, where Extra Help Plymouth & Saltash won the Compassion Award, based entirely on client feedback. Lulu’s team also received the Extra Help Strength Award in 2023.
“My staff truly deserved that recognition for the help and assistance they deliver every single day,” says Lulu.
Looking Ahead
Despite personal worries about loved ones abroad, Lulu continues to lead with positivity and determination. Her Extra Help home-help franchise has become a trusted part of daily life for many in her community, which is a testament to her resilience, kind heart and true entrepreneurial spirit.
Joining Extra Help, Lulu says, was one of the best decisions she’s ever made, as it offers real opportunities to improve your financial stability. She can’t imagine her life without Extra Help now, as it means so much more to her than just a franchise business, it’s a family.
Looking to the future, Lulu is incredibly optimistic.
“I have so many plans to make the business even stronger and there’s still so much more I want to achieve,” she says. “I know this is going to be a very good year!”
Her advice to anyone considering the Extra Help home-help franchise opportunity is simple:
“Don’t overthink it – just do it. You won’t regret joining.”
Inspired by Lulu’s journey?
If you’re kind, compassionate and looking for a rewarding business that truly makes a difference, an Extra Help home-help franchise could be the perfect opportunity for you. You don’t need a background in the home-help industry, just a genuine desire to help others and build a meaningful business within your own community.
Start you own Extra Help story today:
We have been a franchisee of Extra Help for nearly 3 years and the support and encouragement from Claire has known no bounds. She is always there when you need advice and encouragement and we feel like we are part of a family. Before we joined Extra Help we had looked at other Franchises but they all appeared so regimented with so many rules, terms and conditions! At Extra Help we are all encouraged to run our business our own way with the help from Claire and her team from the onset.
My favourite part of the conference today was Jen Chapman from Cinder, her presentation on resilience was insightful. I love Extra Help because of the team work that goes into it, supporting clients who really appreciate our service. This year’s Conference has been amazing. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Brilliant!
I loved the conference today I really enjoyed the birdie talk with Megan it was really informative. I love being an Extra Help Franchisee for the people within the franchise and the support we receive. I love the work we do in the community and I’m so proud of the team I have built locally. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Rewarding!
Today at the conference I really loved the variety of sessions especially the focus on wellness, mental health and Alexandra’s franchise journey. I love being an Extra Help Franchisee as I love the support from Claire and Sarah and the lovely, caring franchisees and support shown for one another. Thank you so much to Claire and Sarah who are always on hand to help and support when needed. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Caring Family!
The best bit of today is so hard to choose as I really found it all great! Megan from Birdie with her presentation on analytics for the franchise will be really useful to help with growth and tracking progress. I love being an Extra Help Franchisee as I love being part of a bigger team, helping people that need it and improving their day to day lives. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Family!
I love everything about Extra Help! At today’s conference we had fantastic presentations from Berkeley Harris from Sandler, Jo McTighe from Temple Spa, Alexandra from our network, Megan from Birdie and Jen Chapman from Cinder. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Home!
I love Extra Help as I really feel I make a difference with what I do, today at the conference I thoroughly enjoyed setting goals for my franchise and our speakers who gave some good mental health tips. I think the franchise head office do everything with great heart, I know if I need anything from them they will help. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Fulfilling!
I really enjoyed the conference today especially our speaker Megan from Birdie who did a presentation on Looker (a reporting tool for our business). The best thing about being a franchisee with Extra Help is the camaraderie. I also like the opportunity to run the business how I'd like to within acceptable parameters to the franchise and commend the availability of support from franchisors. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Family!
I love the conference as I love to meet up with all the other Franchisees Extra Help is a wonderful opportunity as it lets me be independent with my business and useful to people who need help. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be GREAT!
Today at the conference we got plenty of opportunity for networking, mindfulness, l really enjoyed all aspects. The sessions on goal setting and new technologies were very interesting. I love being an Extra Help Franchisee because of the flexible work life balance and job satisfaction. If I were to use one word to sum up Extra Help it would be Compassionate!
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