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Compassionate Neighbours

Providing support to community members experiencing loneliness or social isolation.

Make a referral

Compassionate Neighbours are local volunteers who provide support to members of our community who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation. The effects of social isolation and loneliness in people of all ages can be as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and, with around 200,000 older people in the UK not having had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month, Garden House Hospice Care wants to raise awareness and help people connect with their community.

How to refer to Compassionate Neighbours

If you, or someone you know, are living with a life-limiting illness, are elderly or frail and/or are experiencing loneliness or social isolation, you could access support from a Compassionate Neighbour. Simply complete our online referral form or call 01462 679540 (option 8).

Make an online referral

One-to-one support

Community members are matched one-to-one with a Compassionate Neighbour who shares common interests and hobbies. They offer support by:

Visiting regularly for a cup of tea and a chat
Offering friendship and a listening ear
Helping them to do the things they like doing
Helping them stay connected to the community as well as family and friends.

Wellbeing Hubs

Our weekly Wellbeing Hubs and a Healthy Memory Café are drop-in sessions run by Compassionate Neighbours across Stevenage and North Hertfordshire. They offer an opportunity to:

Join us for a cup of tea and a chat
Meet new people
Talk and be listened to by one of our team members
Gain information about our therapies and support services
Join us in a seated exercise group
Take part in creative and fun activities that promote health and wellbeing
Feel more in control and live life to its greatest potential.

Become a Compassionate Neighbour

Can you spare an hour a week to make a real difference in someone's life? To become a Compassionate Neighbour, all you need to do is fill out our application form and attend an introductory day at the Hospice - a fun, informal and transformative training session. Not only will you learn more about the service but you'll also meet like-minded people and find out how you can support people in your local community. You don't need any specific skills, qualifications, or experiences to apply - just yourself and a positive attitude.

Upcoming introductory days: 26th March, 14th May, 9th July, 24th September, 26th November
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Location: The Ernest Gardiner Treatment Centre, Pearsall Close, Letchworth, SG6 1QZ

Once you have completed your training and officially become a Compassionate Neighbour, our team will match you with a community member based on common interests and hobbies. By offering regular visits, companionship, emotional support and a listening ear, you will help them do the things they like doing and stay connected to their community, family and friends.

If you would like to find out more before applying, please email cn@ghhospicecare.org.uk or call us on 01462 679540 (option 8).

University of Hertfordshire research

We commissioned the University of Hertfordshire to carry out an independent evaluation of the Compassionate Neighbours service over a six-month period (November 2021 to April 2022). We're delighted to bring you their report which provides evidence that the project is meeting its aims to:

Improve wellbeing and quality of life.
Bring people together through helping patients, family members, carers, and volunteers to reconnect to their communities.
Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Ensure equitable access to services so anyone in need of palliative care can easily access the support they need, at the earliest opportunity.

Download UH report