Community Companions

Our Community Companions service can enable you to get a short break from your caring role on a regular basis. The Community Companions  are locally based volunteers who make a regular social visit to the person you care for (and who lives with you), giving you the peace of mind that someone is with them while you take a break. The service is subject to volunteer availabilty in your local area, and there can be a waiting list.

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: Due to volunteer availability, we are unable to offer one off bookings. Our Care at Home team may be able to offer this service, either free of charge or at a cost depending on the nature of the booking. You can contact them on 01933 427999 to find out more.

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

A:    No, the service provides planned, regular visits. 

If you do not live with the person you care for, but are looking to arrange some befriending support for them, try these options?

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

Volunteer Action Oundle - Befriending Service

Happy at Home - West Northamptonshire

Contact Us

Email [email protected] or call 01933 677907 and ask to speak to Laura or Adam at Community Companions.

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”