About Ditsy's Home Help
About me
I am Suzanne! I have 2 sons and 2 step-daughters - all now adults! I have a big German Shepherd and 2 French bulldogs and 2 super cute cats. So it's never a dull or quiet household! I have lived in Andover for over 20 years now and have a well established cake business, Ditsy's Cakes which I run from my studio in Weyhill.
I've run Ditsy's Cakes for 10 years and have now decided it's time for a change of career. I will still be making cakes, just on a part time basis. My focus will now be Ditsy's Home Help.
Prior to starting my cake business, I worked for a bank for 11 years dealing with customer complaints.
I went to King Alfred's College (now Winchester University) and achieved my BA Honours degree in Business Management and Communications. Whilst studying there, I had my first son, rather than taking time off, he just came to my lectures with me. Having a baby wasn't going to stop me achieving my degree! Not something I recommend to anyone, but is just one example of how determined I am to do something when I set my mind on it.
I have always had a nurturing, caring personality, shown in how I am with my family and friends. My mum was a nurse and carer for both elderly and vulnerable clients when I was younger, so I was brought up to look out for people whether they were family, friends or neighbours. If someone needed help, you did what you could to help. This is something I've always believed strongly in and lived by and instilled in my children to do the same.
I cleaned client's houses for several years when I first set up my cake business and was building up my customer base.
I've had experience with the impact dementia has on family as my Nanna and another relative both passed away from it. I've helped elderly clients not just with cleaning, but when they needed extra things like grocery shopping, a letter posting or just some company. This became a lifeline for some especially during the lockdowns.
More recently, I've been helping someone who has been unwell for many years and struggled with grief resulting in them not being able to keep up with maintaining their home. I've been working with them to declutter their home so it's more manageable and liaising with the family to get extra help with bits I can't do myself.
My partner, Del decided the nickname Ditsy summed me up within half hour of meeting me. I am a genuine, quirky and warm person and wear my heart on my sleeve. I don't like seeing people feel down and love making people smile. I have been known to achieve this by wearing either of my giant t-rex or shark inflatable costumes and have a waddle around in them, sometimes taking the dogs for walk. I'm patient and a good listener, it's amazing what you can learn from someone if you just take your time and listen to what they have to say. Apparently, I can talk the hind legs of a donkey.