An award-winning hospice service that's transforming lives across Suffolk is calling on big-hearted residents to join their growing movement against loneliness. St Elizabeth Hospice's Compassionate Neighbours programme, celebrated for its innovative approach to community care, is expanding its reach and needs more volunteers to meet rising demand.
What is the Compassionate Neighbours Service?
This groundbreaking initiative trains ordinary people to provide extraordinary support to those facing life-limiting illnesses, disability, or simply the crushing weight of isolation. Unlike clinical care, Compassionate Neighbours offer the simple human connection that so many desperately need.
The Impact You Could Make
Volunteers become beacons of friendship in their communities, offering:
- Regular social visits and companionship
- Help accessing community activities and groups
- Emotional support and a listening ear
- Practical assistance with small tasks
- Respite for family members and carers
Who Makes the Perfect Volunteer?
You don't need medical experience or qualifications - just empathy, good listening skills, and a few hours to spare each week. The hospice provides comprehensive training and ongoing support, ensuring every volunteer feels confident and valued.
"Our Compassionate Neighbours are ordinary people doing extraordinary things," says a hospice spokesperson. "They're not medical professionals - they're friends, listeners, and companions who help people feel connected and valued."
Join a Growing Movement
The service has already made a profound difference across east Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, and Waveney, but with loneliness reaching crisis levels in many communities, more volunteers are urgently needed.
If you have a few hours to spare and want to make a genuine difference in someone's life, this could be your opportunity to become part of something truly special.
