Compassionate Neighbour Befriending service

One of the aims in the Princess Alice Hospice 5 year strategy is that: ‘We will nurture compassionate communities: We will inspire individuals, groups and communities, giving them the skill and confidence to support people through caring, dying, grief and loss’.

By visiting and supporting someone who is socially isolated and vulnerable, Compassionate Neighbours can help these individuals to be better connected to both social activities and practical help. This can improve their morale and help them to make more effective use of Health and Care services that are available in the community.

Compassionate Neighbour volunteers are trained for two days before taking on this role and are subject to a DBS check and the gathering of at least two references. They are keen to support people in their local community.

The commitment can vary, generally offering 1-2 hrs per week. However once the match has been made, it is up to the Compassionate Neighbour volunteer and the Community Member they are matched with, how the visits will work. Some will go out for coffee if they are able to, some for Sunday lunch if that’s what they choose, some will stay at home and play chess. It’s a reciprocal relationship and up to those two people what they would like to do in the time they spend together.

We can now offer face to face visits and phone calls.