A trained Brigitte Trust volunteer will visit the same client/ family member each week, building a relationship centred on the client and their individual needs. More people than ever are now living with their diagnosis, and our aim is to support them to live well and live fully through home visiting. The service, always free of charge, will be reviewed according to need, always with respect for each client’s cultural and personal situation. We can offer this service to anyone living in Surrey with a life-limiting diagnosis. This includes many different types of cancer, neurological conditions, lung disease, and organ failure.
Emotional Support
Enjoying regular home visits and building a trusting relationship with their Brigitte Trust volunteer means clients have the chance to share some of the more challenging aspects of their illness. It gives them someone who is just a step away from the family circle, who will listen without judgement.
Practical Help
Volunteers are fully insured to drive clients to hospital appointments or for treatment where they will accompany their client and return them safely home– maybe with a coffee stop on the way. Volunteers could help with supermarket shopping, library visits, picking up a family birthday card, making a light lunch, changing the bed, or helping with paperwork. All volunteers are fully DBS checked and can make the day just a bit more manageable.
Social time
Our volunteers have enjoyed so many special times with their clients. On quieter days, they have read to clients, listened to music, sharpened up their Scrabble and jigsaw skills, and set out the watercolours. They have even been to the seaside, a special request for a paddle. Some have enjoyed planting spring bulbs, walking the dog together, or simply taking a drive out into the Surrey Hills- a chance to discover new places and interests and revisit former ones.
Before I Say Goodbye
We have partnered with Before I Go Solutions to bring you our End of Life Planning service, for those that would like some help with their perfect send-off. Our End of Life Facilitator will guide you through our workbook, covering topics such as wills, advanced care planning, and funerals/ celebrations of life.
Dog Visits
Our registered Pets as Therapy(PAT) dogs are standing by to visit clients in their homes, hospices or care homes. For many people who may have had dogs in their lives and enormously missed their company, these visits are magical. We have seen clients and their families light up with joy as they stroked and cuddled our PAT dogs- their visits can certainly calm anxiety and boost wellbeing, particularly with the anticipation of a return visit.
Well-being
We have a team of Wellbeing Volunteers who can offer our clients a pampering treat in the comfort our their own homes, providing a range of services such as haircuts, manicures, reiki, meditation, and more (subject to availability). All of our Wellbeing Team are DBS checked.
Concierge & Signposting
We are aware that supporting people with life-limiting conditions takes a whole community. We collaborate with everyone we work with, from health and social care professionals to the many specialist groups and organisations both within Surrey and nationwide- ready to help inform and support our clients and their carers. For example, we can help you navigate the complexity of the health and social care system, help you get a wheelchair, or get advice on benefits and more.
You can find out more about our other services here.