Carers seek to overcome loneliness on World Friendship Day

Carers seek to overcome loneliness on World Friendship Day

Manorcourt Homecare, a provider of home-based care services in Hornchurch and the surrounding areas, is urging the local community to consider the importance of extending a hand of friendship to those who may be lonely, as part of World Friendship Day.

Statistics show that there are around 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK, and half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all*. This number will be significantly higher across all age groups.

The homecare provider is using the national day, used to celebrate the wonderful positives of friendship, to remind the community of its new Branch Out scheme that offers informal support to people of all ages and abilities in the local area.

The Branch Out service offers people in and around Hornchurch with a ‘Branch Out Buddy’ to help with everything from accompanying them on outings, such as to the shops, concerts, sporting events or the hairdressers, through to helping with daily chores and meal preparation. Alternatively, it can be as simple as sharing a coffee and conversation together to help combat loneliness.

Via the service, a Buddy can visit at any time of the day to suit individual needs and any number of visits can be booked.

Manager of the Hornchurch branch, Lisa McDonald said, “World Friendship Day is an ideal time for us to remind the community about our Branch Out service. There will be people in the local community who may know someone who could do with a friend and could benefit from our service so that they don’t have to feel alone.

“The Branch Out Buddy provides something completely different to our standard ‘care’ packages and are available to any age group or ability.

“It’s a completely flexible, informal visiting service that can be as simple as popping round for a chat and a game of cards, preparing a meal together, or even taking someone out to their favourite pastime, such as to a quiz night, karaoke, football match or bingo!

“We know that having a visitor from time to time can make all the difference to someone living alone.  The aim of our Branch Out service is to give someone something to look forward to or to simply make their lives that little bit easier.”

The Hornchurch branch is also actively recruiting more buddies to fulfil the Branch Out service. It offers a fabulous opportunity for those looking for flexible work to select sociable hours to suit, whether it’s around children’s school times for parents or for semi-retired or retired people who may be looking for additional income during the mornings, afternoons or early evenings.

Manorcourt Homecare is part of the Healthcare Homes Group and is based on Station Lane in Hornchurch.  For more information on the Branch Out service and the other services available, call 01708 472911 or visit www.manorcourtcare.co.uk