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A new Caring Caller project has been launched in Guernsey to help tackle loneliness and social isolation.
St John Ambulance Guernsey started the new scheme during National Befrienders week as the messaging between the two initiatives matched including celebrating the benefits of befriending and creating connections.
The idea is that 'caring callers' telephone someone as a 'check-in service' for people who might benefit from a call, either on a regular basis, or on a temporary basis when normal support networks, such as friends and family are unavailable.
The check-in service also offers a safety net for anyone who cannot summon assistance in the normal way.
Once trained the Caring Caller volunteers are matched with people with similar interests or shared experiences and they are encouraged to catch-up on a regular basis over the phone.
The service not only aims to end loneliness but also to help improve general well-being and other health issues among isolated, vulnerable or older adults.
Heather Langlois, Chief Executive Officer at St John Ambulance said loneliness can be a big problem.
“Even in a small island community, self- isolation may result in people in feeling disconnected or cut off from friends, family or the outside world. Just having someone ask you about your day can make all the difference to how you’re feeling and brighten up your day.
"Caring Caller is all about connecting people and helping to end loneliness. Similar projects operate in other parts of the world and have been shown to have a positive impact on individuals health and wellbeing, as well as reducing the demands on other services which people who are feeling lonely sometimes turn to when they don’t have anyone else to talk to.”
Emergency Ambulance Service Paramedic Practitioner Kelly Marquis agreed that loneliness can be very harmful.
“We know that loneliness and isolation can impact on both mental and physical health," she said.
"In my own experiences as a Paramedic Practitioner, I have met people who are on their own and who feel low or anxious or experience other mental or physical health related issues because of loneliness. The ‘Campaign to End Loneliness’ draws on research that suggests in some cases loneliness can be as harmful to physical health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. While the Caring Caller volunteers are not counsellors or healthcare professionals they may spot when someone is not well and be able to follow a welfare process to signpost them to other forms of appropriate care, if needed.”
Marica Bale, Community Support Officer at St John Ambulance Guernsey added: “We are looking for friendly, chatty people of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds, who have a positive outlook on life and who are happy to spend time talking to others. We will try and match people with similar interests, but the conversations could be wide ranging. Our volunteers will undergo training, induction and ongoing support.”
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