Meet the Team

Sally Carpenter, Managing Director

Sally Carpenter is the driving force behind the agency she founded in 1986. After leaving school, Sally trained as a Nursery Nurse in Bristol. In 1986, she established Featherbed Nanny Agency, initially designed to connect nannies to families and live-in companions with the elderly. However, facing the challenges of the early 1990s recession, she pivoted to focus on live-in care, rebranding the agency as Featherbed Care.

Sally’s aim during the 38 years she has had the agency has always been to keep it small and bespoke. This enables her team to get to know each client and carer well. She has always believed in compatibility and ensures that carers are carefully selected to provide clients with excellent care, companionship, and loyalty.

She is passionate about empowering individuals to remain comfortably in their homes for as long as they want by delivering exceptional, personalised care at an affordable cost. Her unwavering commitment ensures that clients receive the support they deserve, making Featherbed Care an excellent choice for families seeking reliable care provision.

She is also passionate about providing end-of-life care. She looked after her parents and knows the importance of palliative care at home. The agency has experienced wonderful carers who can provide excellent palliative care.

Sally enjoys regularly meeting clients and carers and ensuring everyone is safe, sound, and happy.

Dawn Heaton, Registered Manager

With over 35 years of experience in the care sector, Dawn began her career as a Nurse in local hospitals. After starting her family, she worked in a local nursing home. In 2004, Dawn joined a care agency as a registered manager. With 20 years of experience as a registered care manager in domiciliary and live-in care and hands-on care experience, she has a comprehensive understanding of the sector.  

Dawn also served as a care director and trained as a teacher trainer in 2010. She is a qualified Train the Trainer and holds both NVQ level 5 QCF Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care, ensuring that all carers are well equipped for their roles. Additionally, she is a certified Person-Centred Planning Facilitator and a Moving and Handling trainer.  Dawn has attained a Level 3 ATE in Education and qualifies for the Association of Teacher Educators. She is passionate about ensuring that carers receive the right training and knowledge to always provide outstanding care.  

Dawn is committed to educating people about live-in care as a viable option, regardless of age or circumstances. She aims to ensure that every client can access the best care options, allowing them to feel safe and well cared for in their homes.  

Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to compassionate care highlight the invaluable personal contact she provides, reminding everyone of the positive impact one can have on another’s life.

Helene Rudd, Agency Manager

Helene has over 39 years of experience within the care sector.
She qualified as a Nurse in 1987 and has worked in most aspects of care from Care and Nursing homes to Hospitals and Community homes. She also worked for 22 years at a Charity for people with learning disabilities.

She has a lot of experience with various conditions including Motor Neurone Disease, Dementia, Physical and Mental difficulties, and Palliative Care

Helene qualified as an NVQ Assessor and supported carers to achieve qualifications to support their careers. In addition, she trained as a Person-Centered planning facilitator. She has been a troubleshooter for a Charity organisation that supported several care and Nursing homes of which some struggled and she was asked to help bring them back to a good standard.
Helene has been Agency Manager at Featherbed Care since 2021 and she loves her role which includes meeting clients, assessing their needs, getting to know the clients and their families, successfully finding the right carer to help them and explaining the invaluable positive outcomes of live-in care as a viable alternative to a Care or Nursing Home.

She knows how important it is to ensure a client has a live-in carer who is compatible, caring, and understanding.

Live-in carer reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Lance Mason 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had no idea that my Mum had only two weeks to live when Featherbed came to the rescue!  They provided us with the most wonderful carer, Lucy, who stayed with Mum for long periods of time and gave amazing support to us as family.  She went way "above and beyond" and became a loved member of the family.  I can thoroughly recommend Featherbed - they are a super team!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nick Winch 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Featherbed provided live-in care for my mother for about 15 months before she needed to go into a nursing home. The one problem we had was addressed quickly and effectively, and with that one exception, the carers Featherbed provided were superb - very caring and helpful, totally honest and understanding. They all developed a really good bond with my mother, who also valued their care.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lynne Griffiths 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have been absolutely delighted with the kindness, professionalism and care shown towards our dad by his carer, Tendei Sithole, (and indeed by Immaculata and Emma-his relief carers who have also been excellent) Tendei has made it possible for him to enjoy his life again and if we could give her 6 stars we would. She has been simply a godsend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Abbey Pearson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can not recommend this company highly enough. Wonderful carers who have so much time, compassion, friendship and patience for my Mum. Featherbed is a company who never lets us down, and are always on hand. We'd be lost without you, thanks for all you do. X
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Isobel Wyatt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Featherbed provided waking nights care for my 99 year old father during the last few weeks of his life, which were very challenging. His carer, Julia, was fantastic and I can honestly say that we couldn't have coped without her. This wonderful care allowed my father to be able to stay in his own home which had always been his wish. Thank you so much Julia and Featherbed.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Helen F 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Featherbed have found us the most wonderful live-in carer for our 85 year old mum who has dementia. The relief carers are also excellent.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sylvia Mupaya 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Featherbed homecare is an agency I could refer to both Client and Carers as it is well recognised for it's good services rendered.  They are there for both parties.  I can go on and on and on. It deserves over 5stars
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   M D 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Featherbed have been absolutely amazing. They provided 24 hour care for my mom who is in her 90's for over a year in her own home. The care and efficiency was second to none. They were always there with advice and always there to listen. I think you'd be hard pushed to find an Agency as remarkable as Featherbed. Thanks to all the staff at Featherbed and Carers who 'Cared' for my mom. 💗
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Josephine Payne 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have used them for many years and would not use anyone else .
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Reid 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Featherbed Homecare allowed my 90yr old  parents to live together in their home for over 2yrs. Splitting them up after 60yrs of happy marriage would have been unthinkable.  Despite initial reservations my parents quickly accepted live in care and much enjoyed having company in the house. Much credit is due to the carers who were all lovely and very caring . I have no hesitation in recommending Featherbed