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Volunteers sought who can give a little time to be a friend
19/01/2023
The Cornhill Companions visit or phone lonely people, providing a vital element of social contact in their week
A group which works to provide contact and friendship for isolated members of our community is looking for more volunteers so they can provide companionship for a growing number of people.
Cornhill Companions was formed in April 2017, taking over the work of the Good Neighbours project, which had been funded by the Royal Voluntary Service. A team of volunteers visit or phone lonely people, providing for many a vital element of social contact in their week.
Avis Gallagher is the Volunteer Coordinator, who deals with ever increasing calls on the service. She said: “During the pandemic everything took off. We went from visiting 20 people and telephoning 10 to visiting and telephoning over 70 people.
“We also have ‘social dining’ every Tuesday where we cater for up to 20 people.”
People are referred to the Cornhill Companions from the likes of Age UK, GPs and social care providers. Avis and her team match volunteers with people of similar interests. Sometimes the requirement is just a friendly phone call, whilst for others it may be a home visit, or even a trip out.
Avis said: “I’ve got one lady I pick up to do her shopping. We go and have a coffee. Sometimes I’ll take her out to lunch. Its very variable. It can be once a week it can be once a fortnight and really it is so flexible.
“What we’re doing is creating friendships. A lot of our clients we’ve been befriending for the last five years or more.”
“I have a huge waiting list of people who are lonely and on their own: carers who are looking after someone living with dementia who would like someone to go and sit and give them a bit of ‘me’ time for an hour; people who would like to be taken shopping; people who just want somebody to visit, or people who just want a telephone call.
“There’s a lot of opportunities for a lot of different volunteering.”
For those feeling they can’t commit to the regular contact there are also opportunities for volunteers to help with administration for the group, or even cooking for the weekly Social Dining lunch.
To find out more visit the Cornhill Companions website or call 07763 207780.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam