Befrienders Plus

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Befrienders Plus is a service designed to offer support to carers of Hospice patients in the community. Our Befrienders are there to offer assistance to carers in a number of ways such as:

  • Helping around the home
  • Running errands
  • Putting carers in touch with other services that may assist them
  • Staying with a patient whilst their carer goes out

Who are the Befrienders?

The Befrienders are all trained volunteers who work closely with our Specialist Community Nurses and Counselling team. To find out more about becoming a volunteer Befriender please click here.

Is the service free?

Yes - All of our Hospice services are free of charge to all patients and their families. The Befrienders Plus service is supported by a Carers Special Grant from West Sussex Social and Caring Services.

Who can use the service?

The service can be used by anyone who cares for a Hospice patient, whether they are a spouse, relative, neighbour or friend.

One of our Specialist Community Nurses will discuss with patients and their carers the ways in which they might benefit from the Befrienders Plus service.

A Befriender can make up to six weekly visits, usually of about one hour. After that the Befriender will review the helpfulness of the visits with the carer and a further six weeks may be provided.

Testimonials from carers who have used the Befrienders Plus Service:

"Any help for a carer is very much appreciated and support from St Peter & St James has been absolutely invaluable to me. I found the Befrienders scheme to be extremely helpful. Knowing that a Befriender was with Derrick for an hour enabled me to go for counselling with no worries about accidents during my absence. My sincere thanks and gratitude to all responsible for providing this free service."
Margaret Byatt

"From the beginning, when the Befriender came to visit us at home, it was lovely. If I had to go out for just an hour to the doctor or the supermarket it was good to know someone was there with John. And she would say to him, 'don't worry we don't have to talk if you just feel like resting'. She was lovely and it was good to know she was there to talk to. We got on so well."
Carmen Ayre

For further information please contact Mary Carroll at St Peter & St James.