Independent living
Living independently is important to many of our more vulnerable residents. Happy at Home is one way we're helping those people enjoy and maintain that independence.
"Churches Together was delighted to be asked to partner with the council to offer the Happy at Home service. Some people on their own get a bit lonely and our volunteers are trained to befriend them.
"It's a very necessary service. Families don't all live in the same neighbourhood like they used to. They often live in different towns and can’t get to visit as often as they'd like to. Or sometimes there just isn’t anyone.
"I know our volunteers feel it's a privilege to be able to spend some time chatting to the people who use the service. As Churches Together, we feel it's one way we can really make a difference."
Bernadette Askins, chair of Churches Together
"We go to All Saints Church at Cleadon and we've been volunteers with Happy at Home since it started. We knew it was only one hour a week and that we had an hour a week to spare.
"We visit ladies in their 70s and really enjoy our time with them. It's a two way thing. They often talk about what Cleadon used to be like and reminisce about their childhoods. They definitely become friends of ours."
Robina Lawson and Jackie Gregory, Cleadon
Did you know?
- We also have an independent visitors scheme where volunteers go into care homes to talk to residents and their families about the quality of care. We use the information to improve our services.
- Over the next few months we'll be launching a new telephone support line for older people and those with lower level mental health problems.
- There are lots of projects that you can volunteer to get involved in. Contact us on 0191 283 1309 for more details.