Contacts
Contact:
Georgina Long
St. John Hospice Befriending Facilitator
Organisation:
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
60 Grove End Road London NW8 9NH United Kingdom
Tel:
0207 806 4000
Email:
Website:
Case study:
11 May 2010
Befriending service in St John’s Hospice, London
Key points
- St John’s Hospice is offering a befriending service to patients with life-threatening illnesses in five neighbouring London boroughs
- The service is aimed at those who are socially disadvantaged and need community support.
St John’s Hospice in north London provides a quality befriending service to referred patients who have life threatening or terminal illness within the five local London boroughs.
The service focuses on those who are at the end of their life but also socially disadvantaged and in need of support in their community.
Befrienders will visit their designated patient whenever the need arises. An initial risk assessment is always carried out in the patient’s home and all activity is then monitored, reviewed and assessed regularly.
The befriender receives advice and support through monthly training sessions as well as a newsletter.
The funding for this training comes through the Health Department Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme and St James Place Foundation (Help the Hospice).
One problem is that undergoing Criminal Records Bureau checks can take a long time and it is sometimes difficult to retain the volunteer’s interest and commitment while this is going on.
A solution has been to offer a variety of training which encourages and supports the volunteer.
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