Fairness and transparency
Our Rates
Connectea operates on a single fixed rate. This page sets out what that rate is, how it is split, and why we have chosen to run it this way.
One fixed rate
Connectea charges one rate for companionship time. It does not vary by companion, location, or experience. We do not believe price should be a factor in which companion a family chooses. The decision should rest on fit — who is right for the person being visited — not on cost.
The rates
Paid by families
£30
per hour
This rate covers the companion's time, their travel to and from the visit, and the operating cost of running Connectea — vetting, training, safeguarding, and ongoing support.
Paid to companions
£20
per hour
Every companion is paid £20 for every hour of companionship. There are no deductions for travel or administration. Payment is made directly to the companion's bank account after each visit is confirmed.
The remaining amount covers the cost of operating Connectea, including DBS checks, safeguarding training, insurance, and the team responsible for the platform.
Our position on companion pay
Many part-time roles available to students and people seeking flexible work pay close to the National Living Wage. Connectea's rate of £20 per hour is set above this. This is a deliberate decision, not a market average — we consider companionship work to be skilled and valuable, and we have priced it accordingly.
Our position on what families pay
£30 per hour is the rate for companionship — conversation, shared activity, and presence, delivered by a vetted, trained, employed companion, with full safeguarding built into every visit. We have set this rate deliberately, not as a minimum, because the value of this service lies in the long-term social, emotional, and physical wellbeing it supports. Pricing it this way also allows us to pay companions well and retain the best people over time, rather than relying on high turnover.
A reduced rate for families on a council care budget
Connectea is committed to being accessible to as many families as possible. Families who have been assessed by their local council as eligible for care funding, and who can provide evidence of this, pay £25 per hour instead of £30. Companions are paid the same £20 per hour either way — the reduced rate is made possible by Connectea retaining a smaller margin on these arrangements. To apply, upload your council financial assessment letter during registration or at any time from your account.
Estimate your cost
£150 per week
£650 per month
Estimate only. Payment is only ever taken after a visit has taken place. If you're approved for our reduced rate, your actual cost will be lower than this estimate.
There is no fee to search and no fee to register. Payment is only made for time that has actually been delivered, confirmed, and reviewed.