Ealing’s newly revamped Ealing Carers Hub, which is supported by Ealing Council, is looking for volunteer befrienders who can spare a few hours a week or month to help unpaid carers at home who need some time for themselves to go out.
With Befriending Week running from November 1 to November 7, Sue Stockman, director of carers services for Ealing Carers Hub told EALING.NEWS now is a great time to be a volunteer befriender.
She said: “We offer breaks for a few hours for carers by providing support to those they care for a short time. This might be by having a volunteer befriender to stay with the person in their home and doing activities such as playing cards, having a cuppa and a chat or watching a favourite TV show. It might also be offering group activities run by staff and volunteers at a centre in the community or attending a day centre.”
By being a volunteer befriender, the unpaid carer then gets some time for their own needs.
Sue explained: “This gives carers time to themselves, chance to have a hair cut or do some exercise or just to sit down and watch a film. It also gives those they care for chance to enjoy their own interests and some companionship. Both return home re-energised and with something fresh to talk about.”
Ealing Carers Hub services are run from Sycamore Lodge in Acton and offers a variety of health and wellbeing activities for carers as well as sessions they run in partnership with other providers.
Volunteers interested in befriending for 1-3 hours per week also get training and support. To find out more call 020 3886 0839 or email: vip@yvhsc.org.uk
Ealing Carers Hub offers information and support to those needing it.
Sue explained what they do: “We support unpaid carers by providing practical and emotional support to unpaid carers, empowering people who care for a family member, neighbour or close friend, to actively manage the challenges they face and thrive. We offer information, advice and guidance to carers on applying for a carers assessment, welfare benefits and hardship grants as well as emotional support.”
Any carer who needs help, can contact Ealing Carers Hub by calling 020 3137 6194 or email: carerspathways@ealingcarers.co.uk
