By Lisa Meakin

PATCHAM has joined the list of communities that now benefits from a Neighbourhood Care Scheme (NCS) set up by Brighton-based charity Impetus.

With more than a million people in the UK going one month without speaking to anyone, it is vital that services like these exist in the community.

Sean de Podesta, service manager of NCS said: “A lot of these people are hidden from society. What we do is allow people to make connections.”

A 54-year-old NCS member has chronic fatigue syndrome and she struggles with simple daily tasks.

She wishes to remain anonymous but said: “Twelve years ago I had a career, I was gregarious, successful.

“If somebody said to me this is what is going to happen to you, you will become so socially isolated that when the window cleaner comes it’s a thrill to see him.

“You just don’t think it is going to happen to you, why would it, but it does.”

Before joining NCS 14 months ago she had approximately four to five hours of face-to-face contact a week.

“Social isolation is like starving, its fine four a few days but over time it is destructive. Until you go through it you can’t imagine it, it is utterly corrosive.”

A Patcham based volunteer now sees her once a fortnight and this has made a huge difference to her life.

“The visits I get once a fortnight have made an enormous difference to me, you don’t have to do 15 hours a week as a volunteer to make a difference,” she explained.

Her volunteer who also wishes to remain anonymous said their relationship has gone far beyond the boundaries of scheme member and volunteer.

“I’m not just a volunteer I come here as a friend, and what I value about this more than anything is that we are both completely ourselves and that is very special,” she said.

Statistics from Impetus reveal that during the last six years 91% of their scheme members have reported a benefit from their volunteer support.

In addition, 54% feel more connected to their local community and 42% feel less depressed.

Another NCS member is a 78-year-old woman, from Patcham, said she really looks forward to her volunteer coming to see her. 

She said: “It gives me a chance to talk to someone, I really enjoy her company, I know I can talk to her and I can trust her.”

General concern and looking out for people is at the heart of NCS work, and the team encourage people to get to know their neighbour.

After all, said Mr de Podesta, “If you don’t know who is in your community what can you do?”

For more information about the scheme contact Impetus

Telephone: 01273 775888