Women who move:Layout 1
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MOVERS&SHAKERS
MOVING HOME WITHOUT TEARS If the thought of downsizing, househunting or packing all your belongings to move horrifies you, there are people who can help. Georgette McCready meets the women of Bath who offer practical – and emotional – support in challenging circumstances
M
oving house is a terrifically stressful and tiring business, and I speak with some experience, having moved all my belongings four times in the past 12 months. The trauma includes the hassle and worry of packing all your beloved possessions into boxes, finding a new home that suits you and then trying to get all those said belongings into the new home. Not as simple as it sounds, believe me. I could have done with someone like Wendy Manister of Zest Concierge, who’s been in business in Bath since 2006 and among her multi-tasking for clients, helps with the process of moving house. With a level and unflappable head on her shoulders, Wendy has welcomed the removal men into a home after the occupiers have jumped out of bed and gone to work. She oversees the movement of furniture into the new home, unpacks key kitchen items, makes the bed up again -– bed linen and all – only for the workers to arrive at the end of the day in their new home. They’ll even find milk in the fridge and a vase of flowers to make them feel at home. Wendy said: “I can offer a range of tailor-made services for people. One client has me run through her paperwork on a regular basis so she doesn’t miss out on taxing her car and other essential admin jobs. Another family, who are moving house, have asked me to come in and help them de-clutter. “I think having a neutral person to help with these things can make it less traumatic, less emotional. They might just want to employ Zest for a one-off job, or for a regular assignment. I’ve got one couple, for instance, who own a west country home that they visit from time to time. When they tell me they’re coming down I go in and sort out the pile of post, make sure the place is clean and spotless and stock up on some provisions.” Sara Milward-Oliver of Tailormade Moves is another professional Bath businesswoman who keeps her head when all around are losing theirs. She specialises in all aspects of helping people move house, from helping prepare for a sale to finding the right tradespeople to help with getting the new property ready. Sara said: “We recently moved a family downsizing from eight to four bedrooms and a far smaller garden. They were focused 64 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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and ready for it, but once deadlines were in place, with sale dates fixed, the sheer weight of decision-making, as well as the physical work, took them by surprise.” Tailormade Move has been particularly helpful in offering practical support to older homeowners, either bereaved or divorced, who have faced the twin trauma of loss and moving home. Sara is adept at taking care of the rest of the family too, and reassuring them at what can be a tough time for all. Friends and business partners Jane Padwick and Bryony Ares are used to multi-tasking as both are mothers of twins. They met while running a twins club in Newbridge, having moved to Bath from London and Spain. Their own experiences led them to set up Relocate to Bath, which, as its name suggests, helps people wishing to set up home in Bath. The service can be as diverse as finding the right school, negotiating the best neighbourhoods for commuting or setting up broadband connection for a new property. Because Jane and Bryony have seven children between them aged from two to 11, they understand what families are looking for when they move house. Bryony said: “I know exactly what it’s like to be trying to do a day’s househunting and find somewhere to live with a four-year-old tugging at your arm desperate for the loo.” Relocate to Bath even offers an orientation day for people in which they give them a whistle-stop tour of the area, taking into account shopping needs with the desire for country views or access to good schools. Clients so far have come mainly from London, but also Spain, Russia, Canada and France. ■ ■ Zest Concierge, tel: 07976 168 652, www.zestconcierge.com ■ Tailormade Moves, tel: 07968 213510, www.tailormademoves.com ■ Relocate to Bath, tel: 01225 428071, www.relocatetobath.co.uk
THE PROFESSIONALS: main picture, Jane Padwick and Bryony Ares, of Relocate to Bath Top, Wendy Manister of Zest Concierge, below, Sara MilwardOliver of Tailormade Moves