Overview:

In 2022, Willowbrook launched the Compassionate Neighbours project, led by its Volunteering Hub, with the aim of addressing social isolation and loneliness in the communities of St Helens and Knowsley, as well as supporting Willowbrook patients living with life-limiting conditions. The project connects local volunteers, referred to as Compassionate Neighbours, with individuals facing the challenges of illness and isolation. These volunteers offer 1:1 companionship and emotional support, helping individuals to combat loneliness and improve their quality of life. The project started as a small initiative but quickly revealed the broader need for this kind of service in the community.

Learning:

From the initial phase of the project, several key insights emerged:

Widespread Issue of Social Isolation: Social isolation, particularly among individuals dealing with long-term illness, is a significant issue, often compounded by financial poverty. This issue affects people from diverse backgrounds, including those who may have physical support but lack emotional support.

Impact on Mental Health: Volunteers not only helped with practical tasks such as shopping and housekeeping, but their presence also led to marked improvements in clients’ mental health and overall well-being. Clients gained a renewed sense of self-worth, and some were able to regain confidence and engage in activities they had previously avoided.

Physical and Emotional Benefits: One example of success was a client who, after receiving support, was able to leave their home for the first time in four years, leading to both physical and emotional improvements. Volunteers provided valuable companionship, contributing to clients’ health and reducing the strain on local healthcare systems.

Challenges with 1:1 Support: The initial 1:1 model became difficult to manage due to the high demand for support and limited volunteer availability. This led to an increase in waiting times and a relatively small reach across the population, despite the team’s best efforts.

The start:

Building on the lessons from the initial phase, Willowbrook expanded the Compassionate Neighbours service to include group activities, such as Chatty Cafés. These gatherings, initially hosted at the Living Well building in St Helens and later expanded to Eccleston Park in Prescot, have allowed the project to reach a broader audience. Clients and their companions could meet in a relaxed social setting, providing further opportunities for support and connection.

Positive Impact of Group Activities: The Chatty Cafés enabled the project to engage more individuals and have a wider positive impact. Trained volunteers provided both emotional support and practical guidance to those nearing the end of life, as well as those experiencing loss or dealing with poverty. These group events also opened up discussions around sensitive topics such as death, dying, and loss, encouraging greater community engagement on these issues.

Collaborations for Greater Reach: To increase the reach and effectiveness of the service, Willowbrook has partnered with social prescribers from the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in St Helens North, St Helens Central, and Knowsley. These collaborations help ensure that the service reaches those who need it most. Additionally, Willowbrook is actively exploring the possibility of additional venues to further expand the program’s availability.

Through these initiatives, Compassionate Neighbours has evolved from a small, volunteer-driven effort into a broader community resource that provides not only practical support but also emotional and social connection to those in need.

Next Steps:

Expansion Plans: Based on the success of the initial Chatty Café venues, Willowbrook is actively planning to expand these social events into new areas, specifically Whiston and Prescot. Suitable venues are being scouted to ensure these new locations can accommodate the growing demand for the service.

Review of Roles and Recruitment: The role of the Chatty Café Coordinator has been thoroughly reviewed and refined to ensure it aligns with the growing needs of the program. As a result, it has been decided that, to best meet the needs of the community and to maximise the impact of the awarded grant monies, the project would be best run over a 2 year period.

A job advert for the new Chatty Café Coordinator role has been completed, and recruitment for this position is set to begin in early January, utilising an updated job description and personal specification to reflect the responsibilities and qualifications necessary for the position.

Through these steps, Willowbrook is positioning itself to extend the reach and impact of the Compassionate Neighbours program, ultimately creating more opportunities for individuals to engage, receive support, and build social connections in their communities.