SOUTHAMPTON folk who would like to find out how they could help beat loneliness in their community are invited to meet representatives from a charity in the city at volunteer recruitment events (June 2022).
Communicare, which assists vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton, is hosting events on June 21, 22 and 25 for anyone interested in finding out more about the benefits volunteering.
Annie Clewlow, Manager at Communicare, said: “We believe that nobody should feel lonely and we work hard to tackle this throughout the city with our service users. We work with them through our befriending service and we are always looking for more volunteers to help us. Volunteering is not only beneficial to those we help but is also proven to be great for those who volunteer too. We call them our Communiteers and they are a cheery, friendly bunch of all ages, genders and ethnicity who find it very fulfilling helping others. Some also say being a Communiteer has also helped beat their loneliness too, as they are telephoning people for us or are out and about meeting new people.
“Volunteering is varied, our friendly Communiteers provide valued support in all sorts of ways. From making regular telephone calls, just to check in, which is great if you don’t feel able to meet face-to-face, as well as safely driving people to medical appointments, shopping for those unable to leave home, popping in for a cup of tea and a chat, and of course, providing emotional support. It’s also flexible and rewarding, just an hour of your time, could be the highlight of someone’s week and we are urging anyone who has ever wondered what it’s all about or thought about giving it a go, to come and meet us and find out more at our upcoming sessions.”
Representatives from Communicare will be at Make & Brew, St James Road Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 21 from 10am until 12noon and at Atherley Bowling Club on Hill Lane on Wednesday, June 22 from 6pm until 8pm and on Saturday, June 25 from 10am until 12noon.
Lynda Walton, who is a telephone befriender for Communicare, said: “I first became a volunteer during the Covid pandemic. I felt frustrated at the beginning of the lockdowns as I had to isolate completely and was not able to help people in need in our neighbourhood. All I could do was phone around those neighbours I knew would be suffering, then I received the email from Communicare asking for volunteers to ring isolated and lonely individuals on a regular basis.
“I jumped at the chance to reach out to those for whom a daily telephone call was the only human contact in their day. I’m still volunteering in this way and feel privileged to be able to lighten someone’s ‘load’.”
Communicare currently has 300 Communiteers and has launched a campaign to substantially increase this number to be able to support more people through all the services it offers, not just the coffee morning.
Communiteers are offered simple and basic training on topics such as safeguarding, manual handling and developing listening skills. They can choose their level of involvement and the types of activities they wish to engage in too.
Support provided is at a neighbourly level and Communicare does not offer professional, personal care, which can be given by statutory providers, or routine cleaning or gardening.
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 Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting around 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 or becoming a Communiteer, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk or call 023 8250 0050.
