About the service

Community Companions (formerly Carers Sitting Service) is coordinated by Emma Begley and Kaysha Marlow and managed by Adam Wilson, and depending on volunteer availability runs from 9am-9pm seven days a week. 

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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 usually likely to be on a fortnightly basis.

Q: What are the service requirements?

A: You need to be registered with Northamptonshire Carers, have had a full carers assessment and the person you are supporting needs to be able to use the toilet independently and not require help with personal care or medication.

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

A: Please discuss with the carers support line a referral to the daytime regulated care service.

 

Q: How soon can I use the service?

A: There is a waiting list in most areas.

If you need immediate help, please consider contacting Age UK sitting service on 01604 611200, however, this is a service you need to pay for so may not be possible for everyone.

Q: Can a one-off visit be booked?

A:  No, due to volunteer availability we can’t do one off sessions.  You would need talk to have had or have a full carers asssessment to be referred to Tu Vida emergency breaks service.  Tu Vida emergency breaks is free to access. 

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 offered by Northamptonshire Carers
Telephone Befriending Project	A service for carers registered with Northamptonshire Carers. This service is for carers who are isolated and have little support from elsewhere. Please call Northamptonshire Carers Support Line on 01933 677907 to discuss availability.
Overnight Care Service	Overnight care 8pm-8am (maximum 3 nights). Provided after a hospital discharge or to prevent hospital admission. Call 01933 677907, Option 4.

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. You will need to have a full carers assessment to be able to be referred to this service. Please call Northamptonshire Carers Support Line on 01933 677907, Option 2 to discuss further.
Age UK Carers Sitting Service	This is a paid for service run by Age UK and is available 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday. Please call 01604 611200 for further information.

If you do not live with the person you care for
Serve Befriending Service	(North Northamptonshire) – Volunteer befrienders make a weekly visit to people Over 65 who are vulnerable and isolated. Call 01933 315555.
Happy At Home	(West Northamptonshire) – Volunteer befrienders make visits to help reduce isolation and loneliness in older people.
Age UK Northamptonshire Day Care At Home	A paid for service for older people in Northamptonshire. Available Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm. A regular visit to provide company and support. Call 01604 604500 or email [email protected]

Meet the Team

Adam Wilson Project Manager	Emma Begley Volunteer Co-ordinator	Kaysha Marlow Volunteer Co-ordinator

Contact Us

Email [email protected] or call 01933 677907 and ask to speak to Adam, Emma 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