Loneliness and isolation are felt all too often when living with a life limiting illness. Rob tells us his story of how the KEMP Befriending Service is helping him at home.
How KEMP Befriending is Helping to Combat Isolation.
Loneliness and isolation are felt all too often when living with a life limiting illness. That’s why in 2023 KEMP launched a brand-new Befriending Service for patients of the hospice.
The KEMP Befriending Service aims to provide companionship, emotional support and a listening ear, with a weekly visit from a volunteer who can offer company and conversation.
Rob Owen, 60, a patient of KEMP Hospice, took up the opportunity to benefit from the Befriending Service. This is Rob’s story:
Rob’s Story:
Following a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease, Rob has been visiting KEMP Day Hospice as a patient. He visits each week, enjoying the time spent with others and taking part in the activities which are tailored to suit each the capabilities of each person.
Outside of his hospice visits, Rob is continuing to live at home as independently as he can, but oftens feel isolated when spending much of his time alone as he explains…
“I enjoy my time at KEMP Day Hospice but when I’m home, I spend much of the time on my own. I have two carers who visit, one in the morning and one in the evening, and my young son also stays with me 2-3 days a week, though he is usually in school.
I do try to remain as independent as possible; I have my mobility scooter so when the weather is nice, I can get into the garden. In the colder months though, I can’t go outside as it causes severe pain in my legs.
Helping to reduce isolation with a KEMP Befriender
Spending so much time on my own, when I heard about the KEMP Befriending Service, I was keen to sign up, and having my KEMP Befriender visit has made such a difference. It means I don’t have a whole day stretching out before me with nothing to look forward to. We have interests in common, so we are never short of something to talk about. The conversation flows well, and we found out that we both used to live in the same area, round the corner from each other, even going to the same clubs.
I enjoy my visits. We chat about everything and anything and I enjoy talking to her about my memories. We just click. It’s so nice to have someone to talk to and I am always pleased to see her.”
Like for Rob, KEMP Befrienders play a vital role in reducing the loneliness and isolation often felt by patients with a life-limiting illness when in their homes. Their regular weekly visits offer conversation, emotional support and companionship that can often be missed when spending time alone. By building a genuine connection, the Befriender provides a comforting presence that can significantly enhance the patient’s overall well-being.
Find out more about the KEMP Befriending service and how you could become a Befriending Volunteer to help more people like Rob.
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