A GROUP of businesses from across the Herald area have joined forces to give an outdoor office space a new lease of life for a full-time carer.

Jo Wiseman became a carer to husband Mark after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2018.

An outdoor office space had been installed at the family home to allow Mark to continue his work as an accountant, but wife Jo said following a “nasty fall” in the office, he was no longer able to work there.

And despite continuing to work as a mobile hairdresser while working as a carer, the ongoing pandemic meant Jo had to rethink her approach to work.

She said: “It made me think after a while that going to houses with this Covid still going on, I didn’t want to be a carrier and passing it from client to client or even bringing it home to Mark – because if Mark gets that, the inevitable could happen and make him seriously ill.”

It was then Gary Newell, of Jigsaw Property Maintenance based in Bordon, asked the family if he could give the outdoor space a complete revamp, allowing Jo to work from home as a hairdresser.

Gary said he called in “as many favours” as he could, and sought the help of many businesses across the area, some coming through the Bordon Builders Network, and his work at SiGNAL.

The office has since undergone a complete revamp, which Jo said “looks like a proper, professional little salon.”

Gary’s company Jigsaw oversaw the project and helped to create a bespoke space for Jo.

Businesses which took part included Haslemere’s Drain Doctor (plumbing connection and sign off), Coomers (supplying pipe work), RM Carpets in Aldershot (supplied and installed flooring for free), LTS Electrical Services (upgraded electrics) and Wickes in Alton (supplying paint, wood and pipework for free).

She said: “I was overwhelmed.

“I have always wanted my own salon and it’s amazing to have it on my own premises. And if Mark needs me – my clients are understanding, they are amazing – I can dash up and help him.”

Gary said: “I’m immensely proud not just of my team but all the other trades for helping Mark and Jo.

“They went above and beyond in most cases.

“People step up to help those who need it for whatever reason, to do the work needed to make their lives a better place or hopefully more comfortable.”