About the service

Community Companions depending on volunteer availability runs from 9am-9pm seven days a week. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Community Companions service?

A: The Community Companions Service is free to access and provides a short break of between 2-3 hours to those with a caring responsibility. Support is delivered by volunteers and therefore, we are unable to provide any personal care, but they do offer a befriending role enabling the carer to get a break

Q: When is Community Companions available?

A:  The service is always subject to volunteer availability, and runs from 9am-9pm, 7 days a week. Visits are likely to be on a fortnightly basis.

Q: What are the service requirements?

A: You need to be registered with Northamptonshire Carers and the person you are supporting must not require any support with personal care during the visit.

Q: What if the person you are supporting does need personal care?

A: Please discuss with the carers support line referrals to other appropriate services.

 

Q: How soon can I use the service?

A: There is a waiting list in most areas.

Q: Can a one-off visit be booked?

A:  No, due to volunteer availability we can’t do one off sessions.  You would need  to be referred to Tu Vida emergency breaks service.  This is free to access. Please call the Carers Support Line for contact details.

Q:   Can Community Companions cover short-notice or emergency visits

A:    No, the service provides planned, regular visits and is unable to

provide short-notice, next day, hospital appointment or emergency cover.

Other services for carers
Tu Vida emergency breaks	This is a free service available to carers, it can be accessed for up to 72 hours, 3 times a year.  Please call Northamptonshire Carers Support Line on 01933 677907, Option 2 to discuss further.
Care Choices Directory Northamptonshire	Provides a range of information about a range of care and support across the county.

If you do not live with the person you care for

Serve Befriending Service - Wellingborough, East Northants, Kettering and Corby

Volunteer Action Oundle - Befriending Service

Happy at Home - West Northamptonshire

Meet the Team

Adam Wilson Project Manager	Kaysha Marlow Community Companions Co-ordinator

Contact Us

Email [email protected] or call 01933 677907 and ask to speak to Adam or Kaysha.

Here’s what carers have said about Community Companions…

 “Made a big difference to my life. I am able to get out and see my friend”

“Before any support I was very low due to lack of sleep, but I feel so much better now”

“The service benefits us both and gives meaning to my life again” “

“Had to rely on neighbours before which is a bit difficult. Having regular times is so much better”

“At first our hope was simply to give mum a break and enable her to go out safe in the knowledge that dad was not left alone. This aim was wholeheartedly met but what none of us had ever dreamt was that it would give so much more than this”

“Mum really enjoys the company and gives her spirits a lift”

“Time to be me”

“Much needed and appreciated”

“Without the service paid care workers would be used more, the service allows me to be less reliant on them”

The service is free to use