AIBŌ is a platform that connects elder adults with local young people (18-30) called Buddies, for paid companionship and practical weekly help. It’s not care, it’s all about genuine company, learning from one another and a helping hand when needed.
AIBŌ is for anyone of an older age, who could use a bit more company, getting out and about or a helping hand week-to-week. Most of our customers are families looking for companionship for a parent or relative.
We’re not a care agency and do not provide personal or medical care. Our focus is genuine intergenerational connection and could also include a helping hand week-to-week- like shopping, tech help, gardening, or just a good chat over a cuppa. Think of it as everything a grandchild would do!
Buddies can help with errands, light household tasks, tech support, walks, games, pet care, admin, or fun outings. But mostly, they’re there for genuine friendship and shared moments.
We’re based along the South Coast with hubs in Brighton and Chichester, but we’re expanding quickly. Even if you’re outside those areas, get in touch - there’s a good chance we already have Buddies nearby!
No. AIBŌ is a companionship service, not a care provider. We don’t offer personal or medical care, so we don’t fall under CQC regulation.
How It Works
Once you fill out our short sign-up form, we get to know your loved one’s interests, needs, and personality. We then match them to three local Buddies who feel like the best fit.
We match based on personality, shared interests, location, and availability, so the connection feels natural. Many of our matches turn into long-term friendships!
We will be in touch once we have found 2-3 suitable Buddies which you can then arrange a first free meet-up.
Yes, absolutely. You will be able to arrange a first, free meet-up before any future visits are confirmed to make sure you, your loved one & their potential Buddy all get along!
Of course. Just let us know and we’ll provide new Buddy matches. The goal is for both your loved one and the Buddy to feel comfortable and connected.
Yes. Some clients enjoy having two or three Buddies, as it keeps schedules flexible and adds variety.
Usually a few days, up-to two weeks, depending on your area and needs. We’ll always keep you updated throughout the process.
About the Buddies
They’re friendly, caring young adults aged 18-30 years of age. They are often students or early-career professionals who want flexible, meaningful work and genuinely enjoy spending time with older people & hearing stories!
Every Buddy must have a valid DBS check, ID verification, and has either an in-person interview or phone call.
There are many different reasons why young people sign up to be buddies - some want to learn from the older people or hear stories, others haven't had a grandparental figure growing up and so love the idea of being paired up with someone who could represent a figure like that in their life & others love AIBŌ as it's ad-hoc work alongside other jobs or life commitments but most importantly that it is meaningful and fulfilling. They get to help others while learning from a different generation - it’s a win-win connection!
Pricing & Payments
AIBŌ costs £22.50 per hour, which covers your Buddy’s pay, VAT, admin, platform costs & support. There are no hidden fees.
You’ll be invoiced for hours used (or pre-booked in advance). Payments are made securely online, and Buddies are paid directly after each completed session.
AIBŌ requires a minimum of 1.5 hours per week. It's completely flexible so you can start with a few and adjust accordingly week-to-week, whatever suits your loved one best!
Yes, many families pre-purchase hours to their “Buddy Bank” to make ongoing visits simple. It’s flexible and easy to top up.
Safety & Practicalities
Safety is at the heart of everything we do. All Buddies are DBS-checked, ID-verified and carefully matched. We also create a private group chat for each match so families can stay in touch and see updates & a face-to-face meet-up is free before committing to any visits so you can meet the Buddy beforehand.
Life happens — and that’s okay. We understand that both older clients and Buddies may occasionally need to rearrange plans. The most important thing is good communication. As long as any changes are communicated in advance (or with as much notice as possible) between your family and the Buddy, that’s completely fine.
You’ll never be billed for time a Buddy wasn’t present, even if it was pre-agreed. AIBŌ is designed to be flexible because real life can be unpredictable!
However, if a Buddy or client repeatedly cancels at short notice without a valid reason, please let us know. We’ll step in to review the situation and make sure both sides are treated fairly.
The UK's first intergenerational companionship & helper platform.
