Sandra Hill, 63, is out to prove age is no limit on taking new opportunities as she becomes the sixth franchisee of expanding Dorset-based home cleaning service Domestic Angels.

It’s her first steps in what she hopes will be a bright new future following a difficult period in her life.

After 45 years working in the care industry, Sandra’s husband of 30 years, Ken, was taken ill in 2021. 10 months later he sadly passed away.

Having spent her career caring for other people’s loved ones, not being able to extend the same for her own husband was particularly difficult for her.

“I felt lost and didn’t know who I was, or where I fitted in, anymore,” she explained.

“I knew I could no longer continue in the care industry but didn’t know what else to do. It was time for a reset”

“I was working in a local Care Home at the time and I asked if I could change my role and try something different. It was then that I found a new passion for working in the kitchen and also took on various cleaning tasks”

Throughout this period, Sandra was closely supported by her family including her son, Lee, who would turn out to play a key role in her new direction.

While attending a local networking event Lee met Sam Acton, founder of Domestic Angels. After hearing about Sam’s ethos and the opportunities she could offer, he told her about Sandra.

Later that evening he went home and told Sandra about Sam.

Sam explained “ Demand for help in the home has increased dramatically in the UK in recent years. Our clients value time in their lives and having Domestic Angels in their home goes a long way to creating that”

“Having heard Sandra’s story, I was keen to meet with her”

“My first impression of Sandra is that she is warm, caring and full of untapped potential, the story of so many women across the UK”

“Sandra’s courage and determination knows no bounds. I find Sandra opening her own business for the first time at this stage in her life story so inspirational”

Having agreed to meet Sam for a coffee, Sandra said “I had no idea what to expect. I was so nervous and nearly cancelled the meeting as I had never done anything like this before”

Sam explained the business model and how much support was available via the step by step Franchise training programme.

Sandra said: “I talked it over with the family, who were all very supportive and they gave me the confidence to ‘go for it’.

“I am excited about the new challenge. It is a whole new learning curve as I have never run my own business before.

“From Samantha phoning and having a chat over coffee in Tesco, I am now sat here today just about to launch Domestic Angels Poole North and Broadstone!

“It is daunting, as I have never done anything like this before but I know there is lots of ongoing support and I love the flexibility it has to offer.

“I already have 2 clients, and we have haven’t even launched the new area yet. I am very much looking forward to building my own team”

While this is a new venture for Sandra, there are some similarities between Sandra’s previous career and her new one, with both offering help to people in need of it.

Sandra will be covering the Canford Heath, Oakdale, Creekmoor and Broadstone areas, giving a helping hand to those in need of more time.

Domestic Angels can perform various tasks around the home, operating on either a one-off or repeat basis for both personal and corporate clients, with Airbnb and holiday lets also proving to be a growing opportunity.