Improving quality of life through social connections

Neighbours Connect Southmead

Neighbours Connect Southmead has been working alongside Adult Social Care to help reduce the demand on the care system. With 40% of all older people saying that television is their main source of company, we need to start doing things differently.

We think that a strong community is one that is connected to each other, where neighbours look out for each other and where people feel part of things. Neighbours Connect Southmead encourages this through the careful and considered pairing of volunteers with members of our community.

How does it work

We match volunteers with isolated members of our community to spend time together; either in their home or out in the community. Examples of activities might include:

chatting and drinking tea
playing cards, board games, pool etc.
attending a local group or club together
driving someone to the doctors

We aim to match participants and volunteers based on their interests and commonalities. In this way, the project is tailored to the individual and offers the opportunity for genuine relationships to be formed.

We have lots of stories of different, creative ways that people have connected from going to a circus performance to walking dogs, from sourcing a free radio for music to playing card games online. We’ve had to adapt during Covid but our volunteers have been no less dedicated to making valued connections in our community.

Meet the team

Deana. Volunteer.

It’s a wonderful feeling – coming together with her has expanded my world too

Enquire about volunteering >

How can I be involved?

Click here to find out about becoming a Volunteer with Neighbours Connect Southmead.

Help us tackle loneliness and isolation on your doorstep
There are lonely and isolated people in our community.
Neighbours Connect Southmead is a project that connects people with each other.

Please get in touch with Simone Davis – by email simonedavis@southmead.org or phone 0117 950 3335.

To apply for the role of Volunteer Community Supporter please download an Information Sheet, Role Description and Person Specification, and Application Form below. Application packs are also available from Reception at the Greenway Centre.

Click here to download the Neighbours Connect Southmead Information Sheet

Click here to download the Volunteer Role Description

Click here to download the Volunteer Application form .

Please complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (click to download).

How can I be involved?

The Think Local Act Personal directory

Our project has been listed on the Think Local Act Personal directory. The directory features projects from across the country who are innovating community centred support, which we’re really proud of!

https://www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/innovations-in-community-centred-support/