A NEW service is looking for volunteers to bring support and comfort to isolated people in their homes.
Teesdale Day Clubs and Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) have teamed up to produce a Time Together Teesdale project to offer companionship for the most isolated people in the community.
The scheme is funded by the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) and the County Durham Community Foundation Know Your Neighbourhood fund.
Newly appointed project coordinator Janet Dodson said: “We are seeking volunteers who are willing to make regular visits to a person in their local area. Each volunteer will receive ongoing support and training to make sure that they feel confident about their role. Anyone who feels they can help by simply offering their time to visit someone to have a chat, or share their interests, will have an opportunity to make a real difference.”
The amount of time a volunteer gives will be negotiated between them and the person they visit, with guidance and support from Ms Dodson.
She added: “Even a short visit every other week can make a huge difference to someone who can no longer easily leave their house, or hardly sees anyone from one day to the next.”
The project, which has funding until March 2025, is part of a national programme to find out what works well to help people who are at risk of loneliness.
Strategic manager for Teesdale Day Clubs Andrea Hobbs, said: “Research has identified that social connection is key to our having good mental wellbeing and this project provides an opportunity for both volunteers and people who use the service to benefit from that connection, with the additional support from a coordinated project.
“The experience that both Utass and Teesdale Day Clubs can bring to this new service means we are very hopeful that we can attract funding to continue after the initial pilot stage.”
Grace Crawford, from Utass, added: “We are really delighted to have been able to get this project up and running. The benefits of volunteering are widely acknowledged.
“Dedicating your time as a volunteer can be such a great experience – it helps you make new friends, expand your network and boost your social skills as well as giving you an opportunity to give something back and make a positive difference to your local community.
“We want to encourage anyone who thinks they can offer some time, however large or small, to get in touch with Janet and sign up to find out more.”
Anyone interested in offering their time as a volunteer can contact Janet Dodson on timetogetherteesdale@gmail.com or by calling the Utass office on 01833 641010.
