The Good Neighbours Service is a volunteer befriending service aimed at reducing the feeling of loneliness and isolation among older people in our communities. We are taking referrals for the Dover, Folkestone and Hythe areas.
They don’t know the joy they bring. When you don’t see anybody and then someone like Tracey turns up and they’re worth their weight in gold … I appreciate Tracey enormously, and you [too] because she couldn’t do what she does without you [in the office].
Our volunteers are not carers, cleaners or nurses, but can help by simply being a friend. We hope to help our members gain in confidence so that they can leave the house, use technology or simply be able to have a friendly conversation and build a lasting friendship through regular visits, from the same volunteer, on a long term basis.
Lynn is a godsend getting shopping. She pops in now and then after work for a chat. She is lovely and she is more a friend now. The Good Neighbour service is a very good service for everyone.
Rest assured that each and every one of our volunteer befrienders has undergone a rigorous checking and training process before joining and being introduced to anyone. This process includes: Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks; receipt of satisfactory references; a face-to-face interview and induction with one of our team members at Kent Coast Volunteering.
“It has made such a difference to my life. I so look forward to seeing my volunteer.”
The Good Neighbours Service can provide a link to the outside world both for the volunteers and the people they befriend; often acting as a gateway to other services and valuable support. The volunteers gain satisfaction in knowing what a positive impact just an hour a week of their company can make on someone’s life. It can make them feel they are helping their community, and many enjoy learning about the old days and sharing experiences.
Apply here
- We are currently taking referrals for the Dover, Folkestone and Hythe areas.
- Please download our referral form HERE and email it to gns@kcv.org.uk
We have limited capacity and funding and want to help as many people as we can, so before making a referral please follow the following guidelines:
- Has referrer had consent from the individual to register them with the befriending service and match them with a befriender?
- At the present time we do not have the capacity to register residents from a care home with our service.
- With the exception of individuals being very hard of hearing we would need to speak to them personally over the telephone before visiting them for a home assessment.
- The individual must be able to hold a conversation on their own.
- The house must be suitable for a volunteer befriender to visit. Is there clear space to walk through and no evidence of health and safety risks?
- Is the client 60 or over?
These conditions are required so that we can assess enquiries quicker and increase our capacity enabling us to support more people who are isolated in our community and suitable for a visit from a volunteer befriender.
We would like to thank you for your co-operation. We hope we can help.
Contact details
Call 01304 367898 and leave a message for our Good Neighbours Service.
Call Sarah Murnane (Dover, Folkestone areas).Tuesday-Friday on 07816 406 339.
Call Christine Williams (Thanet) Monday/Thursday on 07816 406 372.
Or email gns@kcv.org.uk
We are a member of Befriending Networks and have a Quality In Befriending Award for our service.
