Companionship Visit
Volunteers support people by assisting them to take part in social activities, hobbies and pastimes. Examples of the support volunteers can give to people includes helping them to do some baking, assisting them with using technology to keep in contact with others, or offering companionship to individuals with limited social interaction. Companionship volunteers will support people to participate in activities but will not be able to complete activities on behalf of the person requiring support.
The volunteer support for this activity is available either as a one-off or once a week for a maximum of 6 weeks and will take place in the person’s home.
This is available for professional referrals only.
Who is eligible for this support?
This may be:
- people that need assistance to engage in social activities, hobbies and past times in their home.
This support is not suitable for:
- people requiring support to go outside of the home
- if the home environment is known to be unsafe i.e. hoarding behaviours, infestation, dangerous animals etc.
Please ensure you have also read the programme referral criteria and that the person meets this criteria before making a referral.
Acceptable activities – to be completed together
- Baking
- Gardening support with the person e.g. planting bulbs together
- Arts and crafts
- Reading
- Games
- Support to use technology e.g. placing an online grocery order or setting up an email address
- Support to maintain relationships by helping them to connect via phone or online with friends and family.
Activities that are not acceptable
- Gardening for the person e.g. doing things for the person such as mowing lawns, cutting trees, heavy lifting
- Cleaning
- Making meals
- Personal care e.g. supporting people to the toilet, getting dressed, feeding, hairstyling etc
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Page last reviewed: 05 June 2024
