We provide regular wellbeing check-ins with your parent.
Then we send clear updates and early warnings to you.
The same Wellbeing Caller phones for a check-in and chat (~20 minutes). You get a brief, privacy-respecting summary after each call and timely alerts if anything shifts from their baseline.
Your parent enjoys the friendly human contact.
The problem
When you’re already juggling a lot, it can be hard to know whether your parent really is fine, or if something is quietly beginning to change.
ParentCalls checks in consistently and gives your parent regular contact with someone they know and enjoy. You get earlier visibility of changes, so you are not left guessing or waiting for a crisis.
Not AI. Not Automated
Regular calls, up to daily
Fills the gaps between visits
Short update after every call
Alerted if something's wrong
Helps with loneliness
How is your parent today, really?
Many older parents live alone and it can be difficult to stay informed between calls and visits. We send you a high-level call note – just what matters, without oversharing.
Example call-note
Consent - who needs to agree?
We only begin when the arrangement is appropriate and properly agreed. In most cases, that means your parent is happy to take part. If the situation is more complex, we talk it through with you carefully before anything starts.
More FAQs on Privacy, Safety & Boundaries
How do you keep information secure?
What checks do your Wellbeing Callers pass?
Before speaking with families, our Wellbeing Callers go through careful checks and training. They also receive ongoing oversight in the role, so the person calling your parent is safe, suitable, and well prepared.
Safeguarding - what is your process?
If something concerns us, we act on it. We follow a clear safeguarding process and agreed escalation plan, so concerns are picked up and passed on appropriately. You can read our full Safeguarding approach here.
Escalation and emergencies - what do you do?
We are not an emergency service, but we sometimes need to escalate things. We agree an escalation plan with you during onboarding, so everyone is clear what happens if we have concerns. This includes who we contact, in what order, and what kinds of changes or concerns should prompt us to act.
What topics do you always avoid?
We avoid any topics you flag to us during onboarding or at any other time. We work within clear, respectful boundaries. That means conversations remain friendly and appropriate, and never stray into areas such as medical advice, legal matters, or financial affairs.
How it works
1
Book set-up call (with you)
- We ask a few questions to understand your parent.
- We agree a trial plan and give you some tips on how to introduce it.
2
Intro with your Parent
- You can join the first call (3-way)
- We keep the first call light and easy.
3
Ongoing Calls
- Wellbeing Callers phone at agreed times.
- Calls lengthen as the relationship builds.
- Your parent gets to know a familiar voice.
4
Updates & Escalation
- You receive a short written update after each call.
- If concerns arise, we follow your agreed escalation plan.
Who is this for? Is it like care?
No, we are not a care company. It’s a phone-based wellbeing check-in service for older adults, with short updates to family, designed to help you stay informed and flag concerns early between visits or family calls. Companionship is a natural secondary benefit.
Can you tailor it for my parent?
Yes. We adapt the conversation topics, pace, tone and call structure to your parent’s interests, personality, routines, and preferences. We also adapt the wellbeing questions so that we can keep an eye on what matters most to you. We agree the approach in onboarding and refine it as we learn what works best.
More FAQs on How It Works
Who will speak to my parent?
A dedicated Wellbeing Caller will speak with your parent, providing continuity and building a relationship over time. You will know who they are and have a clear escalation route if anything needs attention.
Our Wellbeing Callers are based in South Africa. South African carers are highly regarded by UK care agencies and families for their strong spoken English, warmth, professionalism and care experience, particularly in roles involving trust, consistency and one-to-one support. For a service built on regular conversation, human connection and noticing change early, they are especially well suited to ParentCalls. Recent changes in the UK care labour market have also increased the availability of highly experienced South African carers for this work.
What helps you get off to a good start with my parent?
It helps to know a little background so the calls feel more natural from the start – for example their personality, routine, hobbies, interests, what they enjoy talking about, and any preferences around call times or communication. This also helps us match them with a suitable Wellbeing Caller. We talk this through when you book an enquiry (see below).
Can we speak to the Wellbeing Caller first?
Yes. You can get to know them and align on preferences and boundaries before calls with your parent begin.
How soon can we begin?
Usually within a few days once onboarding is complete and your parent is happy to proceed.
What happens in the first week?
Once a Wellbeing Caller has been assigned and you’ve chatted, we’ll agree the call schedule and times and then hold the first call – which you can join if you think it would be helpful. That first call with your parent marks the start of your free trial.
We soon learn what your parent enjoys. You will get early feedback and we can adjust quickly if required.
Call times - fixed or flexible?
We agree a regular time window so calls feel dependable, but there is flexibility when needed. The service works best when there is consistency.
Call length - what is typical?
Most calls are around 20 minutes. In practice, the right length depends on how your parent is on the day and how the conversation is flowing. The priority is a good check-in, rather than watching the clock.
Phone calls only? What about video calls?
Phone calls are the default because they are the easiest and least demanding option for most older parents. If video would genuinely help, we can consider that too.
What if my parent does not answer?
Missed calls are handled calmly and according to the plan agreed with you in advance. We retry, keep you informed, and follow the agreed next steps if needed.
Family updates - what do you send?
A short, plain-English summary of how the call went. While privacy-respecting, if there is anything you should know or if there are actions or decisions needed, we make them explicit.
The updates are sent using a secure dedicated ParentCalls app, so it’s all in one place.
Can you update multiple family members?
Yes. Outside of emergencies, we use a dedicated ParentCalls app to communicate and you can add other family members to receive the updates on the app.
The benefits
- Regular calls, starting in days, not weeks.
- A consistent Wellbeing Caller your parent gets to know and look forward to.
- Check-ins that help you tell whether your parent seems to be coping as usual.
- Short updates you can scan in under a minute.
- Earlier warning when something seems off, so you can act sooner.
- Helps cover the gaps between family calls and in-person visits.
- Gives you clearer context for your own calls and visits.
- More confidence about when to increase support, with less guesswork.
Why ParentCalls began
I’m Richard Phillips, founder of ParentCalls. I built it after seeing how hard it can be when one person ends up carrying so much of the load of supporting an ageing parent. Whether you live nearby or further away, there’s a constant pressure to check in, make sure they are getting enough human contact, and try to work out whether things really are fine or quietly changing. ParentCalls is for adult children supporting ageing parents, often while balancing work, kids, and changing needs.
Our aim is simple: help your parent stay independent for longer, and give you early visibility when something starts to change.
You can learn more about me and the ParentCalls mission here.
Pricing and plans
Weekly plan
3 calls each week
~£33/week
Billed monthly at £143, including VAT
- Choose any 3 days
- Same friendly caller
- Consistent weekly rhythm
- Family updates included
7-day reassurance trial
If it isn’t right for your family, let us know within the first 7 days and we’ll refund you in full.
Additional days
More contact each week
~£10/week per added day
Each added day adds £43/month, including VAT
- Same caller where possible
- Simple to add when needed
- Changes from the next billing cycle
- One week’s notice helps us schedule
Useful when family goes away, or for hospital discharge, recovery or changing needs
Are there any other charges?
No. The plan price is the price you pay. We do not charge extra for onboarding, and there are no hidden fees.
Trial period - how does it work?
We offer a 7-day reassurance trial so you can see whether ParentCalls feels right for your family. If it isn’t right, let us know within the first 7 days and we’ll refund you in full.
More Plans, pricing & cancellation FAQs
How do payments work?
We use Stripe for secure online card payments. Your chosen plan is set up as a recurring subscription, so payments continue automatically unless you change or cancel your plan.
When am I billed?
You are not billed during the trial. The trial starts on your parent’s first call. If you continue, your first monthly payment is taken automatically at the end of the trial, and then monthly after that unless you change or cancel your plan.
Cancellation - how do I stop?
You can cancel by emailing us. Cancellation stops future billing. Refunds for the unused part of the current billing period are not usually available, though we may make exceptions in some cases.
Can I change plans?
Yes. If your needs change, we can usually move you to a different plan. That means you do not have to worry too much about getting the perfect plan choice on day one.
What if my parent doesn’t like it?
That is exactly what the free trial is for. If your parent is unsure, we can adapt the approach – including tone, topics and timing – and, if needed, we can also try a different Wellbeing Caller.
Questions?
Give us a call: 0203 488 2426
Or email us: hello@parentcalls.co.uk
Tell us about your parent
Book a set-up call to tell us about your parent, and we’ll match them with the right Wellbeing Caller.
It takes 15-20 min to complete.
Choose a time
All FAQs
How it Works
Who is this for? Is it like care?
No, we are not a care company. It’s a phone-based wellbeing check-in service for older adults, with short updates to family, designed to help you stay informed and flag concerns early between visits or family calls. Companionship is a natural secondary benefit.
Can you tailor it for my parent?
Yes. We adapt the conversation topics, pace, tone and call structure to your parent’s interests, personality, routines, and preferences. We also adapt the wellbeing questions so that we can keep an eye on what matters most to you. We agree the approach in onboarding and refine it as we learn what works best.
Who will speak to my parent?
A dedicated Wellbeing Caller will speak with your parent, providing continuity and building a relationship over time. You will know who they are and have a clear escalation route if anything needs attention.
Our Wellbeing Callers are based in South Africa. South African carers are highly regarded by UK care agencies and families for their strong spoken English, warmth, professionalism and care experience, particularly in roles involving trust, consistency and one-to-one support. For a service built on regular conversation, human connection and noticing change early, they are especially well suited to ParentCalls. Recent changes in the UK care labour market have also increased the availability of highly experienced South African carers for this work.
What helps you get off to a good start with my parent?
It helps to know a little background so the calls feel more natural from the start – for example their personality, routine, hobbies, interests, what they enjoy talking about, and any preferences around call times or communication. This also helps us match them with a suitable Wellbeing Caller. We talk this through when you book an enquiry.
Can we speak to the Wellbeing Caller first?
Yes. You can get to know them and align on preferences and boundaries before calls with your parent begin.
How soon can we begin?
Usually within a few days once onboarding is complete and your parent is happy to proceed.
What happens in the first week?
Once a Wellbeing Caller has been assigned and you’ve chatted, we’ll agree the call schedule and times and then hold the first call – which you can join if you think it would be helpful. That first call with your parent marks the start of your free trial.
We soon learn what your parent enjoys. You will get early feedback and we can adjust quickly if required.
Call times - fixed or flexible?
We agree a regular time window so calls feel dependable, but there is flexibility when needed. The service works best when there is consistency.
Call length - what is typical?
Most calls are around 20 minutes. In practice, the right length depends on how your parent is on the day and how the conversation is flowing. The priority is a good check-in, rather than watching the clock.
Phone calls only? What about video calls?
Phone calls are the default because they are the easiest and least demanding option for most older parents. If video would genuinely help, we can consider that too.
What if my parent does not answer?
Missed calls are handled calmly and according to the plan agreed with you in advance. We retry, keep you informed, and follow the agreed next steps if needed.
Family updates - what do you send?
A short, plain-English summary of how the call went. While privacy-respecting, if there is anything you should know or if there are actions or decisions needed, we make them explicit.
The updates are sent using a secure dedicated ParentCalls app, so it’s all in one place.
Can you update multiple family members?
Yes. Outside of emergencies, we use a dedicated ParentCalls app to communicate and you can add other family members to receive the updates on the app.
Call plans & Pricing
Are there any other charges?
No. The plan price is the price you pay. We do not charge extra for onboarding, and there are no hidden fees.
Trial period - how does it work?
Like any relationship, it can take a few calls to develop so we allow a free trial to get started. You only continue if it feels right. After the trial period, your monthly subscription will begin.
How do payments work?
We use Stripe for secure online card payments. Your chosen plan is set up as a recurring subscription, so payments continue automatically unless you change or cancel your plan.
When am I billed?
You are not billed during the trial. The trial starts on your parent’s first call. If you continue, your first monthly payment is taken automatically at the end of the trial, and then monthly after that unless you change or cancel your plan.
Cancellation - how do I stop?
You can cancel by emailing us. Cancellation stops future billing. Refunds for the unused part of the current billing period are not usually available, though we may make exceptions in some cases.
Can I change plans?
Yes. If your needs change, we can usually move you to a different plan. That means you do not have to worry too much about getting the perfect plan choice on day one.
What if my parent doesn’t like it?
That is exactly what the free trial is for. If your parent is unsure, we can adapt the approach – including tone, topics and timing – and, if needed, we can also try a different Wellbeing Caller.
Privacy, Safety & Boundaries
Consent - who needs to agree?
We only begin when the arrangement is appropriate and properly agreed. In most cases, that means your parent is happy to take part. If the situation is more complex, we talk it through with you carefully before anything starts.
How do you keep information secure?
We take confidentiality and data security seriously. Information is stored securely, access is limited, and we only share what is necessary and appropriate for the service, in line with what you have agreed. You can view our Privacy Policy here.
What checks do your Wellbeing Callers pass?
Before speaking with families, our Wellbeing Callers go through careful checks and training. They also receive ongoing oversight in the role, so the person calling your parent is safe, suitable, and well prepared.
Safeguarding - what is your process?
If something concerns us, we act on it. We follow a clear safeguarding process and agreed escalation plan, so concerns are picked up and passed on appropriately. You can read our full Safeguarding approach here.
Escalation and emergencies - what do you do?
We are not an emergency service, but we sometimes need to escalate things. We agree an escalation plan with you during onboarding, so everyone is clear what happens if we have concerns. This includes who we contact, in what order, and what kinds of changes or concerns should prompt us to act.
What topics do you always avoid?
We avoid any topics you flag to us during onboarding or at any other time. We work within clear, respectful boundaries. That means conversations remain friendly and appropriate, and never stray into areas such as medical advice, legal matters, or financial affairs.