Virtual assistant support
Reliable support for the work that keeps getting pushed aside
Flexible administrative and project support for businesses, charities, organisations and individuals — for one task, a defined project or ongoing help.
Creating time for business.
Why outsource?
Make more room for the work only you can do
Finding it difficult to focus on the work you enjoy or do best? Admin can expand to fill every available hour. Handing over suitable tasks can lighten the load without the commitment and overheads of employing another member of staff.
Time and focus
Reclaim time for clients, decisions and the areas where you add the most value — or simply create more personal time.
Flexibility
Use support when you need it: for a small one-off task, a busy period, a defined project or regular ongoing work.
Practical value
Pay for the support you need rather than providing a salary, equipment, office space or employee benefits.
Experience
Bring in an experienced extra pair of hands for work you don’t enjoy, don’t have time for or would value another perspective on.
Practical support
What could you hand over?
Every client’s needs are different, so support is tailored to the work rather than forced into a standard package. These examples are a starting point, not a complete list.
Administration and organisation
- Typing, editing, formatting and proofreading
- Documents, reports, presentations and spreadsheets
- Organising files, emails, records and information
- Data entry, database maintenance and research
- Clearing backlogs and practical day-to-day administration
Projects, clients and digital support
- Coordinating projects, actions and follow-ups
- Website updates, forms, newsletters and email campaigns
- Social media content, scheduling and campaign support
- Client communication, enquiries and practical support
- Bespoke research, systems and one-off projects
I also bring substantial experience in financial services, compliance and client-facing roles. That background is particularly useful where accuracy, confidentiality, clear records and professional communication matter.
“Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. We very much appreciate your work, support and professionalism.”
Chairman, football stadium client
“Sandy gave significant support to both our organisations and helped to overcome problems. We highly recommend Sandy.”
Robert Clunas, Chair, The Horsfall Community Trust and Horsfall Community Stadium CIC
Flexible arrangements
Support that fits the work
There is no weekly minimum. Many clients begin with one or two small jobs and increase support once they see what can sensibly be handed over.
One-off task
A specific piece of work with a clear outcome.
Defined project
A larger goal broken into manageable steps, with an agreed scope, fee and timescale.
Ongoing support
Regular help that becomes familiar with your priorities, systems and ways of working.
Most support is provided remotely from my own office, so you do not need to provide desk space or equipment. We agree how and how often to communicate; where practical, an in-person meeting can also be arranged.
Clear from the outset
Before work begins, we agree what is included, the timescale, the cost, what information or access is needed and how we will communicate.
- Hourly work, a fixed project fee or an ongoing arrangement can be agreed.
- For hourly work, time is recorded accurately and a breakdown can be provided.
- I will let you know if work is approaching an agreed time or cost limit.
- If the brief changes, we discuss it rather than allowing surprises to build up.
Not sure where to start?
My ‘Five steps to working with a virtual assistant‘ guide explains how to identify suitable work, find the right support and build an arrangement that works for you.
A practical process
How working together can begin
1. Identify what is taking your time
Notice the work that keeps being postponed, interrupts more important activity or takes longer than it should. Starting with one or two tasks is often enough.
2. Analyse what can sensibly be handed over
Consider what needs doing, how often it happens, the information or access involved and which decisions still need your judgement. I can help you work this out.
3. Connect and discuss what you need
You do not need a perfectly organised brief. A short introductory conversation can clarify the result, priorities and a sensible first task or project.
4. Agree how the work will be done
We agree the scope, timescale, fee, access, communication and written terms. Once everything is clear, work can begin.
5. Repeat, review and adapt
This is an ongoing process. As your VA begins working alongside you and becomes a trusted part of how your business operates, you can regularly review both what your business needs and how the VA can best support that need.
We can consider what has been useful, what could be improved and where you add the most value to your business. We can then revisit the earlier steps, identify other work that could sensibly be delegated and agree how your VA can best continue supporting your goals.
Support can remain occasional, develop into regular help or simply end when the task is finished. As your business or organisation changes, the support it needs may change too.
Reviewing the arrangement keeps it useful rather than allowing it to become another process that continues without being questioned. As trust and rapport develop, these conversations—and the whole process—usually become quicker.
Questions about working with a virtual assistant
Where do you work?
I work primarily from my own office. Remote working is usually efficient and avoids the cost of travel or the need for you to provide office space. In-person meetings may also be arranged where practical.
Is there a minimum number of hours?
There is no weekly minimum. No job is automatically too small, although all work is subject to availability. Starting with one or two small jobs can be a useful way to see how the arrangement works.
How will we communicate and review the work?
We agree the most suitable method and frequency for communication. A defined project may need milestone reviews, while ongoing support usually benefits from regular short meetings.
How do you record the time spent on my work?
I record time using Clockify and can provide a breakdown showing how the time has been used. Coming from a solicitor and accountancy-firm background, I am accustomed to maintaining detailed time records. We agree the charging basis before work begins, and I will tell you if the work is approaching an agreed time or cost limit.
Can I afford to use a virtual assistant?
Time is one of the most valuable commodities you have. Outsourcing a few hours can free you to concentrate on work that makes better use of your time. You pay only for the agreed support, and hourly or fixed-fee arrangements can be discussed to suit the work. Charges are agreed before work begins.
Is a virtual assistant an employee?
No. A VA works as an independent service provider. A written agreement sets out the scope of work and makes the business relationship clear.
I have a question that is not listed here
Please get in touch. It is helpful if you give a brief indication of the task, project or support you would like to discuss.
What would you hand over first?
If one task, backlog or project is taking too much of your attention, tell me about it. You do not need to know which service label it fits.