Give the gift of friendship this Christmas as a Compassionate Neighbour with St Clare Hospice
St Clare Hospice is urging supporters to give the gift of companionship this Christmas by becoming a Compassionate Neighbour.
According to statistics, 2.3 million older people wish they had someone to spend time with over the festive season.
More than a third (36%) are too embarrassed to admit they are lonely at Christmas and one in five (20%) feel they have nowhere to turn to for support.
The Hastingwood-based charity’s Compassionate Neighbours programme aims to tackle this by matching specially trained volunteers with people who are at the end of their life due to serious illness, frailty or old age.
Since becoming a Compassionate Neighbour, Liz Chapman has supported three people in her community. She gives an hour a week around her full-time job to visit her current match, a 99-year-old man.
“He lives independently in his own home and has got the wickedest sense of humour,” said Liz. “His mind is sharp as a tack, and we sit and chat, we reminisce, we talk nonsense and we laugh until I start crying and he starts coughing!
“He’s always interested to hear what I’ve been up to and about my family life. We talk about his life too and the time goes by as quick as a flash.”
Liz continued: “The fact that you’re matched based on shared interests is such a good approach. The value that then brings into people’s lives is immeasurable and I always come away with the feeling that I’ve made a positive difference to somebody’s day.
“I remember once, just as I was leaving, hearing them say to themselves ‘Well, wasn’t that lovely?’ To hear that as you’re closing the door behind you makes it so worthwhile.
“My time doesn’t cost me anything, but the huge value it brings to someone is priceless. Giving your time is the greatest gift you can give, and if you can help put a smile on someone’s face who is towards the end of their life, or fighting a life-limiting illness, then why wouldn’t you?”
St Clare’s Compassionate Communities programme manager, Fiona Venus, said: “For people who are lonely due to illness or old age, Christmas isn’t always something to look forward to, and we know from experience that particularly as the darker nights draw in, companionship and human connection become more important than ever.
“Our Compassionate Neighbours help make life-changing connections with those who are most at risk of loneliness and social isolation, bringing genuine warmth and friendship into people’s lives.
“With the festive season just around the corner, we’re urgently urging people to apply to become a Compassionate Neighbour today so they can be ready to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society at such a crucial time of the year.
“Something as simple as having a chat over a cup of tea can make a huge difference, helping people to know they are not alone and enabling them to look ahead to 2025 with hope.”
St Clare Hospice currently has people waiting to be matched with a Compassionate Neighbour. See stclarehospice.org.uk/compassionate-neighbours for details on how to apply.
