A Jersey law firm have pledged their support for the St John Ambulance Jersey Companion Scheme after speaking to isolated islanders through their work and feeling they needed to do more to help.
The team at Benest & Syvret regularly speak to some of the most isolated of islanders through the course of the day, but felt they wanted to do more to help when they put down the phone.
After hearing about the St John Ambulance Companion scheme, which launched in 2022, they reached out for more information. They were visited by the scheme co-ordinator Sarah Vivian who told them about what is and who it helps. Since that visit a number of the staff have started or are in the process of being paired with islanders as companions.
The St John Companion Scheme was launched in June 2022 initially to provide a friendly face to those islanders who are caring for a loved one, often 24 hours a day and get very little respite. However, this was extended to those living alone whom rarely see anyone.
The scheme is an extension of the work of the Carer’s Support which is already delivered by St John Ambulance Jersey across the community and came about because of people’s needs.
Since the launch the charity has been inundated for requests for help and support and are now hoping to get even more companions to join up.
All they need to be able to do is commit to two hours per week to spend time with the person they are paired with, first aid training and support will be provided.
Nina Benest (pictured), partner at Benest and Syvret, said: “We speak to islanders regularly who may only talk to us that day, or even that week. It’s hard when that call ends to know they are alone. We felt we wanted to do more. When we saw the appeal for companions we knew we’d like to be involved.”
Sarah Vivian, a registered nurse spearheading the Carers’ Programme, emphasised the overwhelming demand for companion support. She said: “Our influx of requests reveals a dire need for interpersonal connection. Many individuals go without human interaction on a daily basis, just wanting someone to talk to.
“We strive to pair individuals with similar interests, but our capacity to continue relies heavily on recruiting more companions. There are individuals on our waiting list whom we urgently need to assist, but we need the support of islanders to do so. Engaging as a companion is immensely fulfilling and significantly impacts the lives of both the caregiver and the cared for. Imagine enduring days without human contact; it’s a scenario we believe no one should endure.”
Approximately 5,000 individuals are presently engaged in informal caregiving within their homes, dedicating themselves to friends or relatives. Often, this commitment extends to several hours each week, and in severe cases, round-the-clock care.
Most caregivers lack prior experience, compounding the sense of isolation they feel. Presently, St John Ambulance Jersey runs a free Carers’ Support Programme, generously sponsored by Simon and Suzie Webster of the Shuffl Foundation.
The program runs four mornings over four consecutive weeks, covering essential topics such as First Aid, nutrition, pressure area care, home safety, and navigating available benefits and resources on the island. Participants are then encouraged to join a monthly support group, provided they can arrange care for their dependents, marking the origin of the initiative.
