Compassionate Neighbours for Merton and Sutton
It is an award-winning social movement to help reduce loneliness and isolation for the people of Merton and Sutton, who are approaching the end of their life, due to age or illness, and who are socially isolated andor their carers.
Compassionate Neighbours provide support while helping people continue to feel a part of their community. The initiative unlocks people’s compassion and helps to build supportive connections and genuine friendships within our local community. It is made up of a network of skilfully trained volunteers who are proficiently matched with a member of the community based on their interests, hobbies and experiences. Compassionate Neighbours offer their time and companionship and provide emotional and social support, while developing natural and mutual friendships.
People in Merton and Sutton can be matched with a Compassionate Neighbour on a one-to-one basis or through attending one of our local social gatherings where you can meet other people from your local community.
Compassionate Neighbours can help others by:
- Offering friendship and a listening ear
- Visiting regularly for a cup of tea and a chat
- Telephone support
- Supporting you to stay connected to your community and loved ones
- Supporting you with the things that you enjoy doing
Read about Jan’s experience as a Compassionate Neighbour who holds the record for the longest-standing support to a patient.
This initiative can also provide support for carers of those affected by illness and those who are bereaved. The fear and isolation that people feel surrounding death and dying can greatly be reduced when part of a strong social network.
All support is provided free of charge.
How to be part of our Compassionate Neighbours initiative
32,000 people in Merton and Sutton are often or always lonely and could do with extra support for an hour or two (based on 2021 data from the Office Statistics Regulation).
Since the launch of the campaign in January 2023, we have received many referrals from our community and are currently looking for volunteers to help everyone in need. Please apply below and help alleviate loneliness in Merton and Sutton by becoming a Compassionate Neighbour.
We are still recruiting Compassionate Neighbour volunteers
Further information about being a Compassionate Neighbour
What is a Compassionate Neighbour
Compassionate Neighbours are volunteers who offer about an hour of their time each week, to visit or phone a community member who is approaching the end of life due to age or illness or their carer. Compassionate Neighbours can support people by providing companionship, emotional support, a listening ear, practical support and help to integrate / connect people with their local community.
Can I volunteer in the evenings or weekends?
Our Compassionate Neighbours can support people at any time during the day, on any day of the week that suits them and their matched community member. All we ask is that you nominate a buddy (a family member or a friend) who you tell your exact whereabouts and time to, before every home visit.
Will there be training?
Our Compassionate Neighbours attend a 1-day training session where we discuss what it means to be compassionate in palliative care, how to stay safe in the role and the ongoing support that we offer. As well as our 1-day training session, we also provide our Compassionate Neighbours with a complete suite of eLearning modules including Safeguarding, Health Safety & Welfare and Dementia Awareness.
What support is provided?
Our Compassionate Neighbours are considered an integral part of our wider hospice volunteering community, without which we could not offer the excellent level of care to our patients that we do. After the initial 1-day training session and eLearning modules, our Compassionate Neighbours are offered ongoing support with fortnightly office drop-ins. As patient facing volunteers, our Compassionate Neighbours are also invited to attend our education programme – attended by our palliative care staff.