“Warm Homes, Warm Hearts : My life with Extra Help Plymouth”

Q: Lulu, for readers who haven’t met you yet who are you and what do you do?

A: Hello! I’m Lulu Kuliabko, the proud Franchise Owner of Extra Help Plymouth, Plymstock, Plympton, and Saltash.
I joined Extra Help ten years ago , I was one of the first franchisee. My franchisor, the amazing Claire Robinson, took a chance on me. She guided me, supported me, and showed me a path I am so grateful for. Watching Extra Help grow across the country over the last decade has made me incredibly proud knowing I was part of that beginning.

Q: Why did you join Extra Help instead of starting your own business from scratch?

A: Because I wanted to be part of something bigger something built on kindness, reliability, and real community connection.
Extra Help already had a beautiful soul when I found it. Claire created a service based on genuine care, not corporate coldness. When I joined, I felt like I had come home.

Q: Let’s talk about some of the clients who shaped your journey. Can you tell us about Daniel?

A: Daniel… oh, he is one of my favourite humans.
Daniel and I have been together professionally! for over ten years. He has Down syndrome and is one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever met. When we met, I was 28, he was 30. Last year he turned 40, and on his big Birthday party I told him, “Daniel, we are getting old together!”
He laughed… I laughed… and then we both agreed that neither of us looks a day over 21. He is pure sunshine.

The photo that goes with this story is one of my favourites. It reminds me that this job isn’t about tasks; it’s about relationships. Daniel has taught me more about patience, joy, and kindness than any training course ever could.

Q: You also mentioned including a photo with one of your elderly clients, Tony. What is his story?

A: Tony is a gentleman whose wife sadly passed away. After such a heartbreaking loss, he suddenly faced all the housework alone laundry, cleaning, keeping the home going.
We stepped in not just to help with tasks, but to give him steady support, a bit of routine, and a friendly face at a difficult time.
Our picture together represents the work we do supporting elderly clients especially those who find themselves struggling after big life changes. It’s tender, emotional, and very real.

Q: You’ll also be sharing a photo with a family you’ve supported for five years. What’s their story?

A: This family has been part of my life for five years.This family is incredibly dear to me. It’s a mum with disabilities and her two boys are autistic .
For five years, we have helped with: cooking meals, cleaning and laundry, keeping the home calm and organised, helping her get to school and back.
We lived through the pandemic together -masks, hand gel, the whole dramatic era.
We moved house together. We changed schools. We survived growing boys (and their energy levels).
Five years ago, we took a picture together. Just recently, we recreated it. The boys have grown so much - and it touched me deeply. I don’t have my own children, so watching them grow feels like witnessing little miracles
Those two photos side by side say everything without words .

Q: Your team has stayed with you for an unusually long time. What’s your secret?

A: I’ll be honest: I care deeply about my team.
They’re not employees they’re family.
The photo in this article shows Stacey and Zoe from Saltash - two incredible women who have been helping me for eight years. Eight years! In this industry, that is rare. But when people join Extra Help, they tend to stay. I like to believe it’s because I’m a kind manager… well, I try!
I choose my staff very carefully, I choose people who give more than they take, peopele with big hearts.
Every member of my team is one of the best you can find.
We laugh together. We support each other. We share biscuits and stress sometimes. We’re like a big, slightly chaotic but very loving family.
The photo with us three shows something powerful:
people trust me, enjoy working with me, and feel valued.
And that is the greatest compliment a manager can ever receive.

Q: And the motorbike… what’s the story there?
A: Ah yes, my legendary motorbike.
Let me make it clear: I do drive a normal car!
Most of the time, I am perfectly sensible.
But when someone needs help urgently and the traffic is awful, I throw on my helmet and become “Motorbike Lulu.” In Plymouth traffic, the car cries. The motorbike wins. It’s simple mathematics.
Q: Final words from you Lulu?

A: Yes - gratitude.
To Plymouth, for welcoming me.
To my clients, for trusting me.
To my team, for standing beside me year after year.
And to everyone reading this:
If you ever need a little extra help, or just a friendly face… we’re here.
Whether I arrive in a car or fly in on a motorbike I promise you’ll get kindness, care, and a good laugh.

Q: Sarah pictured with Lulu runs the neighbouring South Hams, Torbay, West Devon Franchise, we asked Sarah for comment.

A: Hi, I’m Sarah, I set up my branch of Extra Help in 2020! I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of Lulu and the other branches who opened before me. I have a real passion for people, I gained a Psychology degree and held sales, teaching, customer service and business development roles after that – Extra Help seemed to marry all my skills and passions together. I’m proud to have won the Devon Chamber of Commerce 30 under 30 award in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and to be a finalist in the West Country Women’s Awards in 2025 too. Echoing the above from Lulu I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our clients in the local towns, villages, and communities we service around the South Hams, Torbay, West Devon, & parts of Cornwall too.Hearing Lulu’s client stories has been wonderful and echo many of my own. I love what we do at Extra Help!

Find out more; www.extra-help.co.uk

Call Lulu servicing Plymouth, Plymstock, Plympton and Saltash on 01752 642442 or 07850237282

Call Sarah servicing the South Hams, West Devon, Torbay and more on 07547 555669 or 01803 266 246

WE ARE RECRUTING , please call Lulu or Sarah for more information.

Email : plymouth@extra-help.co.uk or Sarah.canny@extra-help.co.uk
photo by OTEM photography