Business Awards UK recently announced a hospice's Compassionate Neighbours service as the winner of its 'Community Health & Wellbeing Impact in Hertfordshire' award. 

Garden House Hospice Care in Letchworth started Compassionate Neighbours in 2018 with a mission to combat loneliness and social isolation in North Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. 

Community members who might be elderly, frail, living with life-limiting conditions or bereaved, with no local support network, can self-refer or be referred to the service. They can benefit from being matched one-to-one with a volunteer who can provide friendship, and attending the Hospice's Wellbeing Hubs across North Hertfordshire. To date, 1,641 referrals have been received.

Jeanette Farrow, Compassionate Neighbours Manager at the Hospice, is 'delighted' to see the impact of the service being recognised and credits the volunteers for the win.

"I was thrilled just to be announced as a finalist for the award, but to actually win it is unbelievable," she said.

"It would not have been possible without our Compassionate Neighbours who work tirelessly to serve their community. It's down to them that we're winners.

"This award just goes to highlight that what started as a short-term project is a much-needed service the Hospice will continue to provide. 

"We currently have 526 Compassionate Neighbours with an aim to train 100 new volunteers and open six new Wellbeing Hubs this year. We know anecdotally that people who attend our hubs feel they see their GP less, and recent research shows that they feel 20% less alone and more connected to their community. Loneliness is one of the biggest public health challenges we face, so it's vital we keep expanding." 

The Hospice will launch its eleventh Wellbeing Hub at St Martin's Parish Centre in Knebworth on Wednesday 21st August. They are looking for volunteers to give up just three hours of their time each week to help run the hub. Duties might include leading a seated exercise session, serving teas and coffees, supporting attendees with activities and providing a listening ear. 

Many community members describe the hub as 'the highlight of their week', with one family member of a hub attendee commenting:  "Compassionate Neighbours have been amazing – so kind and generous. The hub is the highlight of Dad's week and he is always talking about it. I don't live locally and so it is really nice to know there are people looking out for Dad and doing things with him." 

There are over 200,000 people living in the UK who have not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month. The effects of this are the equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, so volunteering as a Compassionate Neighbour plays a huge part in the 'bigger picture' to end loneliness and social isolation. 

If you are interested in volunteering at the Knebworth hub or giving up just one hour of your time each week to visit somebody one-to-one, visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/compassionate-neighbours to apply or call 01462 679540 (option 8). Anyone who is lonely or socially isolated can also self-refer to the service via the same link or phone number.