About us
Communicare in Southampton is a friendly, local charity that enriches the quality of life of lonely and isolated people in Southampton. Where available, our committed volunteers act as good neighbours; they offer practical and emotional support in a variety of ways at no cost to the service users (though donations are very gratefully received).
What we do
Befriending
Regular contact with the same volunteer, face to face or over the phone.
Shopping
Short term help with shopping, for example when someone comes out of hospital
Travel Buddies
Supporting people in getting to events and local places independently. The aim is to build up confidence with the support of others, to eventually feel prepared to travel alone again
Out and About
Accompanying people out for a walk, out for coffee, to a favourite place or to a social gathering
DIY & Gardening
Helping with DIY, decorating and light gardening
Hello Southampton
Regular scheduled phone calls up to five times a week (Monday-Friday) to isolated or vulnerable people, to check on service users’ wellbeing and have a quick chat, providing reassurance and a friendly ear
Transport
Providing transport to medical appointments and social engagements in volunteers’ cars, where taxis and public transport are not an option
Family Help
Helping young families support their children through play and practical help
Hospital Homecoming
Help with small ‘settling back home’ tasks after a hospital stay, including shopping and checking people have enough to drink and eat
Mental Health Network
We are delighted to have led on setting up a mental health network, with the aim of bringing individuals and organisations across the City together, united by the vision to “make Southampton a mental health friendly City”. Membership is open to any individual or organisation wishing to become involved.
Unfortunately Communicare cannot offer nursing, personal care or legal advice, and the availability of help is always dependent on the availability of our volunteers. We do aim to meet as many requests as we can.
I’ve worked for Communicare under several titles; Manager, Trustee and Development Officer in the East. I love to network and meet others working to help those in need. My main focus currently is to find ways to involve everyone in their own communities, in whatever way suits them.
I joined Communicare in 2012 after graduating with the OU in Business Studies. I love everything Communicare stands for – kindness, commitment and a passion to help others, so jumped at the chance to work as part of the team!
I’ve been with Communicare since March 2016 and am the ‘Chief’ Volunteer Coordinator. I know all things service users and volunteers. I love putting together challenging quizzes for our tea parties.
I love seeing people becoming the person they were designed to be and living their best life and I feel that we can’t do that without feeling connected. So Communicare feels like a perfect fit for me, especially as I’ve joined as a service development officer. I’ll be looking at what we’re doing already and seeing how we can add or improve – to get even more people feeling connected. I love God, people, dance, worship, my family, dog, nature and spontaneity.
I first came to Southampton as a university student and am happy to be back! I enjoy meeting new people and working with others, running, and reading.
I have volunteered with Communicare for some years and am excited to join the team as a Coordinator. I enjoy crafts, baking, sports and walking with my dogs. I will be helping to process referrals and shopping requests.
I became aware of the fantastic work of Communicare when I joined my church in Southampton, and when I started looking for a new challenge away from nursing, the opportunity to join the Communicare team was just what I was looking for! In my spare time I enjoy walking, running, eating out and reading.
‘I am delighted to be back working for Communicare! I enjoy working with our friendly team of both staff and volunteers who are also passionate about reducing isolation and loneliness and improving mental health and wellbeing. I have a strong passion for baking and can often be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes!
I have just rejoined the team after taking a year out and am so excited to be back! I love Communicare and the vision of creating communities that are kind and look after one another 🙂
I originally became involved with Communicare by giving HR advice, having a background in HR through my Trade Union activities. Eventually I became a Trustee and am now heavily involved with recruitment and all HR issues. Photography is one of my passions, so I try to help Communicare with this where possible. I also enjoy being a Quiz Master, setting challenging and unusual questions for fundraising events.
Having strong connections with Woolston, I was keen to get involved with Communicare when they opened their new office on the East side of the City in 2009. Despite leading two churches, I am actively involved in the running of Communicare and try to attend events where possible. I am also an avid lover of ‘Miles’ tea!
I have been a strong Communicare supporter since working with them on a secondment year from John Lewis in 2006. Helping with a range of tasks, I have a good understanding of what it’s like to be a volunteer for Communicare and what is involved within the office. I have strong links with Highfield Church and also run my own kitchen design company. Asked to become a Trustee in 2016, I jumped at the opportunity to get more involved.
John has been volunteering with us since 2018 and is especially passionate about our social occasions including lunch clubs and tea parties. His interests include natural history, nature & books (mainly fiction and thriller). John wants to be a part of Communicare to “help as many people as possible”.
Originally from Prague, I moved to the UK as an au-pair in 2004. I then worked in hospitality & events in London, followed by a finance role with Holiday Inn. Volunteering with Communicare brought new connections and inspiration. I am proud to be a part of the charity, offering real help where it most matters.
I’ve recently retired from Lloyds Bank after forty years. I would like to remain active and use my skills to help in the community and Trustee, Barrie suggested Communicare was the perfect place. I’ve previously been involved in the community room at St. James’ Park Café and have connections to the charity via St. James Parish Church.
I’m a Southampton local and have worked with Sure Start, Princess Anne Hospital NHS, Care Homes, SCC Supported Housing 60 Plus, Alzheimer’s Society, Saints Foundation, Carers in Southampton and now, Social Prescribing. I am supporting, Communicare, the Veterans drop-in, Junior Wardens and The Touch Network. I’m also a Dementia Friends Ambassador. I am a sunflower & dinosaur fanatic! I love nature, bird watching and The National Trust. I believe tea and cake will solve everything!
For my day job I am the CEO of a charity called Daybreak; we facilitate Family Group Conferences for families or communities who are facing challenging situations. I previously worked for a youth charity called Youth Options, and prior to that was a teacher. I am also a trustee at City Catering Southampton. I have lived in Southampton for almost 30 years and spent much of that time working in and around the city. I live with my partner and cats, where I enjoy theatre, reading crime novels and spending time with friends.