Compassionate neighbours

Our Compassionate Neighbours scheme helps support people living with life-limiting illnesses stay connected to their community to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Compassionate Neighbours can really make a difference. They are trained to offer their time, companionship and support to people living in their community.  

Our personalised ‘menu of support’ includes: one to one support with a trained volunteer; a variety of wellbeing groups and social activities; a respite sitting service; time-limited transition support e.g. supporting those discharged from the Hospice and those who have been bereaved; support for young people as they progress into 18+ palliative adult services. Support is provided free of charge. 

Click here to access our weekly schedule of activities available to anyone with a link to the hospice. 

To find out how to get help and support from Compassionate Neighbours, read our  Compassionate Neighbours leaflet.  

If you are a health or social care professional and would like to refer someone to Compassionate Neighbours, please fill in this referral form and email it to the Compassionate Neighbours Team at compassionate.neighbours@nhs.net  

Could you support someone in your community?  

We are always looking for more volunteers to join our Compassionate Neighbours network and the first step is to join our training course. It focuses on building your skills and confidence so you can help people with a life-limiting illness stay connected to their community and avoid loneliness and isolation. You’ll also hear from Compassionate Neighbours and their experiences to get a flavour of the variety of ways you can get involved.  

We’re planning to hold our next Compassionate Neighbours training in January 2024 (dates to be confirmed)

After the training you can decide to go on to be matched with someone locally – or support one of our groups – through shared interests and hobbies in the hope that genuine friendships will form. 

Compassionate Neighbours do things like: 

• Visit weekly for a cup of tea and a chat 
• Offer friendship and a listening ear 
• Support one of our groups to make sure people feel welcomed and included  
• Help people to do the things they like doing
• Help people to stay connected to friends, family and the community 

What you can gain from volunteering in this role:  

• Make a difference to people in the community who may be isolated due to life-limiting health conditions 
• Meet new people and make new friends 
• Learn new skills and have opportunities for further development 
• Be part of a wider network of Compassionate Neighbours 

Join a growing social movement in your local community, empowering people at coming towards the end of life. 

No experience is necessary and the role is flexible, fitting easily around your other commitments. 

Note: You must be 18 years old or over to do this role.  

What our Compassionate Neighbours say: 

“It gives you an amazing feeling of being able to help someone in your neighbourhood.” 

“I learn something new every time we meet.” 

“If you are able to give your time to become a Compassionate Neighbour, you will get just as much out of it as the person you are supporting.” 

Training 

We offer regular training, you can register your interest and find out more about Compassionate Neighbours by filling in this short application form and we will invite you to a training course.  

We are planning to hold our next Compassionate Neighbours training in January 2024 (dates to be confirmed).

Contact  the Compassionate Neighbours Team at compassionate.neighbours@nhs.net or call 0800368 7848 for more information or complete the short  application form.  

Watch our short videos about the benefits of being a Compassionate Neighbour and how Compassionate Neighbours support our local community: