You can help provide vital companionship and support to unpaid carers in Norfolk by joining our team of volunteers
Arthur is 79 and cares for his wife, who has dementia. His wife no longer recognises him and over the years, Arthur has lost touch with his friends due to the demands of his caring role. He lacks confidence to go out and spends his days at home. Arthur enjoys gardening but is no longer able to manage his garden alone.
There are currently more than 26,000 unpaid carers like Arthur, living in Norfolk, who provide over 50 hours of care each week to a family member or friend who need help because of an illness, frailty, disability, or a mental health issue.
Our Norfolk Befriending Service aims to offer an inclusive, trusted service that links volunteers with unpaid carers to help reduce loneliness and isolation, build confidence and improve their wellbeing.
The service will match volunteers with carers to offer regular companionship at home, as well as supporting them to use services in their community, or to provide practical support such as dog walking, collecting prescriptions, shopping or gardening.
The support can also offer companionship for the cared-for at home, to help make it easier for the carer to get out into the local community for activities that give them support, friendship and improve their wellbeing.
Project Co-ordinator, Mel Ford, is excited to be leading this new initiative. “I often speak to carers who are experiencing poor mental health, fatigue and loneliness due to the challenges of their caring role. The Norfolk Befriending Service will see our team of volunteers provide vital practical and emotional support to improve the wellbeing of carers in their community”.
If you are able to give some time to help a carer like Arthur in Norfolk or know a carer who would benefit from receiving this service, please contact the team for more information:
[email protected] or call 0345 241 0954
Thanks to The Earl of Northampton’s Charity, via their sole Trustee, The Mercers’ Company, for supporting this project.
