LIZ O’Neill from Southampton has recently (July 2022) joined the team at a charity in the city dedicated to erasing loneliness as its new Coordinator.
She will be recruiting and supporting volunteers at Communicare, as well as managing referrals and matching volunteers with service users.
Liz said: “I became aware of the fantastic work of Communicare when I joined my church in Southampton, and when I started looking for a new challenge away from nursing, the opportunity to join the Communicare team was just what I was looking for.”
“I will be working closely with service users and volunteers and matching them up, as well as offering any help and support that I can. I will also be managing referrals and working on the recruitment process of volunteers, which I am very passionate about.”
Liz trained as a nurse in Southampton in 1986 and has remained in the city ever since. The past eight years have been spent in Occupational Health before moving to Communicare.
In her spare time, Liz enjoys walking, running, eating out and reading. She also loves to spend time with her family, including husband Paul and her three children and one grandchild, playing board games and card games.
Communicare, which is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, provides services that enrich the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around Southampton.
Its services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting more than 600 individuals/families through tasks including one-to-one telephone befriending and transport for essential appointments and assistance with shopping.
The services Communicare provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
