Abbots Friends: Companionship & Befriending Volunteering
Join us as a companion & befriending volunteer in Hertfordshire to help tackle loneliness
Gift your time this winter
There are over 1 million people in the UK that need you
With 1.4 million older people in the UK facing loneliness, winter can be a particularly difficult time.
By giving just one hour of your time each week, you could become the highlight of someone’s day.
Whether it’s enjoying a cup of tea, chatting about hobbies, watching TV, or simply having a friendly conversation, your companionship can mean the world to someone feeling isolated.
Join Abbots Friends as a volunteer and make a real difference by brightening the lives of people in your community.
Who are companion care services for?
Loneliness is a serious problem. Research from The Campaign to End Loneliness has shown that both loneliness and social isolation can contribute to serious health conditions such as anxiety and depression and poorer physical health.
For people who live alone or whose health conditions prevent them from getting out and about, getting the social interaction they need is a challenge.
Companion care is a good option for people who:
- live by themselves with limited interactions with people day to day
- are experiencing social isolation or loneliness
- are feeling depressed or anxious
- need support or transport to go to appointments and activities in the community
How to volunteer with Abbots Care
If you’re looking to volunteer with Abbots Care, you can start by emailing us your CV at recruitment@abbotscare.com or call us on 0330 094 5511. You must be 18 to volunteer with us. We’ve also shared some tips below on crucial information to include in your email.
What to include in your email:
- Subject Line: Abbots Friend Volunteer Application – [Your Name]
- Up to date CV
- A brief paragraph on why you want to volunteer with Abbots Care
What does befriending volunteering involve?
Joining us as an Abbots Friends volunteer means you will be supporting people in your local community. Unlike our homecare services, which focus on practical assistance, Abbots Friends is all about companionship.
Our befriending volunteers provide meaningful social interaction, offering a sense of connection and helping individuals become more engaged with their communities. This could include:
Social interaction & companionship: Spending time together, engaging in conversation, playing games
Emotional support: Offering a listening ear, providing encouragement when needed and making them feel like they have support
Practical assistance: Helping with light housekeeping and errands to make their daily lives easier, such as picking up some essentials at the local shop
Transportation: Providing transportation to appointments, social engagements and other activities to help them engage with their local communities
Mutual benefits of companion care
Companion care can provide a number of mutual benefits to both the volunteers and the people you volunteer with, including:
- Reduced social isolation and loneliness
- Improved mental well-being
- Enhanced quality of life, helping you to take part, or helping someone else take part in activities they enjoy, and staying connected with your community
Why choose befriending volunteering with Abbots Friends?
Abbots Friends volunteers are fully trained and DBS checked, this is paid for by Abbots Care. We ask that you undergo training to ensure you feel comfortable getting out in the community and supporting those that need your help.
We take great care to match you with a client that shares your interests, or who we think will be a good fit. You can visit the same person every time, so you’ll be able to build up a genuine and meaningful relationship over months and years. Or you can choose to volunteer and help several people – the choice is yours!
Abbots Care is an award-winning, CQC Outstanding rated care provider, so you can be confident that you will be in safe hands.
Receiving companion care from Abbots Friends
If you or a loved one could benefit from companion care services contact us via email – enquiries@abbotsfriends.com or phone us on 0330 094 5511. Our friendly team will be on hand to offer advice and support to help you find the best care possible.
