"Can you imagine not talking to another person for days on end?"

Saturday 02 July 2022

It’s estimated that at least 5,000 people are currently caring for someone informally in their own home, such as a friend or relative, sometimes for several hours a week - but in many cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Most carers have little or no experience of doing this role, and it can be incredibly isolating.

But a new scheme by St. John Ambulance is aiming to change this.

The St John Companion Scheme will provide some respite for the carer and social interaction with others outside their home for the person being cared for.

The scheme builds on the work of the Carers’ Support that the charity already delivers and has come about in response to the requests of the people taking part in the course.

Currently, St. John Ambulance Jersey offers a free Carers’ Support Programme, sponsored by Simon and Suzy Webster from the Shufl Foundation, which is a short course of four mornings over four consecutive weeks covering First Aid and subject areas such as nutrition, pressure area care, safety in the home and what assistance is on offer through benefits and resources available on the island.  

Pictured: The current Carers' Support Programme offers support with First Aid training and other useful subjects.

Sarah Vivian, a registered nurse who leads the Carers’ Programme, explained: “We’ve found that whilst delivering the course that often the bonding with the other course attendees has been as important as the course content.

"Speaking to people in the same situation and sharing experiences has had a dramatic impact on the lives of the carers and we wanted to continue this support following on from the programme “

“From here we set up a Carers’ Support Group who meet monthly, which offers the carers some respite from caring and enables them to take part in social events such as bowling, BBQ’s, picnics or listen to outside speakers to gain further relevant knowledge.

"However, not everyone can leave the person they care for and so the idea of the St John Companion Scheme came to be. This scheme will provide some respite for the carer and social interaction with others outside their home for the person being cared for. St John Ambulance have also extended this scheme to those that live alone and would benefit from social interaction.”

Pictured: The Carers’ Support Group offers the carers some respite from caring and enables them to take part in social events such as BBQ and picnics. 

Michael Officer, a carer who has undertaken the course, said: “I signed up to boost my knowledge of First Aid and specifically, what to do if an elderly relative were to fall so I might stand a chance of reducing any damage or discomfort till better help arrived. I got rather more than a top-notch First Aid course.”

“I got to meet with others who provide far more for their people than my own paltry efforts.  A community, swapping ideas and support, because caring for another can be a lonely and dispiriting task. The chance to hear others was a huge help for me.”

“There is no doubt that my relative is better off, better cared for, has received improvements to enable her to shower and move about with less risk of injury. Further, now that she is on the scheme, should anything unforeseen occur in the future, she has an existing safety net of dedicated, well-trained people equipped and able to assist promptly.  For that I am deeply grateful.”

“Sarah works tirelessly to keep the community active and positive. It would be all too easy to succumb to become discouraged - it is that community which keeps those thoughts in check. There are few words which do that justice. Thank you.”

Caroline McCafferty, one of the charity's current volunteers, said: “I’ve always hated seeing elderly people on their own in public and often I approach them for a chat if they look like they’d appreciate it. This has resulted in some fantastic conversations and many giggles. I also hate the idea of how many people are so lonely and barely see anyone from day to day, and especially during covid times. 

“When Sarah mentioned to me about volunteering to visit a person who isn’t well and on their own once a week for a cuppa and a chat, I jumped at the chance. We take it for granted, most of us are lucky enough to be surrounded by people to talk to, but some who are maybe elderly or too frail to go out and have no family on the island don’t and would just love the chance to see someone for a chat. It can make such a difference.”

Pictured: Visiting someone who is on their own once a week for a "cuppa and a chat" can "make such a difference".

Sarah said: “We just want to let carers know they are not alone and extend the support that we already offer.  We live in a wonderful community, where no one should feel alone, and therefore we thought we could make a difference to those most isolated in the community. We are grateful to our fabulous sponsor, who is helping us make that difference to people’s lives.

"Can you imagine not talking to another person for days on end? We don’t believe anyone should be in that situation.”

The charity wants to help even more people and are appealing to anyone who wants to become a volunteer with the programme to get in touch. First aid training and support will be provided.