Please note: COMPANIONS only operates in North East Scotland
Retired? Want to do something worthwhile with the time on your hands?
Out of work? Looking for free training and no loss of benefits?
Student? Need work experience and paid expenses?
Life changes? Looking for a new circle of friends?
Time for a change? Time for COMPANIONS?
What we’re about
Life, Work, Money, Relationships, Time, Stress, Problems.
Who do you turn to? People who experience mental health problems have the same troubles as everyone. Loneliness and isolation can make them feel even worse. Who can they turn to?
With one in four Scots likely to suffer from mental health problems in their lifetime the need for understanding and support grows greater day by day
Just as in physical illness, we can become a sufferer without warning at any time, and the effects can be worrying, or they can be life changing.
Stresses of modern day living have added to the levels of mental health problems, with depression, anxiety attacks, and other stress related difficulties on the increase.
What is Befriending?
Over the last few years caring for people with a mental health problem in the community has become increasingly difficult. With constant demand placed on mental health services, and the breakdown of traditional family structures, what can be done to help people who really need support?
COMPANIONS is a scheme administered by NSF (Scotland) that matches caring, reliable and well trained volunteers with people in the local community who have mental health problems. It seeks to provide regular social contact, promoting a trusting relationship between client and volunteer. It works to promote the principles of social inclusion and recovery.
What is recovery?
Recovery has been defined as follows:
Recovery is happening when people can live well in the presence or absence of their mental illness and the many losses that may come in its wake, such as isolation, poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. Recovery does not always mean that people will return to full health or retrieve all their losses, but it does mean that people can live well in spite of them. (Curtis, 1997)
Why the Companions scheme?
Loneliness, failure, fear and a loss of self-esteem are some of the feelings reported by people with mental health problems. They may live far from family support or may suffer from the unreasonable social stigma that mental health problems incur, leading to isolation.
The need for a service offering social contact for people in the community who suffer from mental health problems has been realised for some time. We need volunteers to make this scheme a success.
Volunteering
The COMPANIONS Befriending scheme seeks to help people with mental health problems to overcome loneliness and isolation, and develop social skills which would allow them to recover and live a more happy, fulfilling life in the local community. Without a doubt, our volunteers are our most important asset. Without their work and commitment the COMPANIONS Befriending Scheme would not exist. All it takes is an hour or two each week. Carry on reading to find out more about volunteering, for people in different situations in life.
Retired?
Retirement can be difficult sometimes. What do you do with all that free time? Why let all the years of experience go to waste? COMPANIONS can help you make good use of your skills and time, in a way that really helps others. Don’t delay, contact us today!
When you’re a student experience matters.
It can take years to achieve the best qualifications, but in that time what can you add to your C.V.?
Why not find out what working with people is really like, with training, expenses paid, and for only an hour or two each week?
COMPANIONS can help you gain valuable contacts and references, and help you show your skills and abilities.
Don’t delay, contact us today!
Student?
When you’re a student experience matters. It can take years to achieve the best qualifications, but in that time what can you add to your C.V.? Why not find out what working with people is really like, with training, expenses paid, and for only an hour or two each week? COMPANIONS can help you gain valuable contacts and references, and help you show your skills and abilities. Don’t delay, contact us today!
Not Working?
When you’re not in employment it can be hard to find a job you like. Employers are looking for people who want to work, and have a keen and willing attitude. Why not build up your people skills and find new strengths and abilities, that might help you find a new job? COMPANIONS can help you gain useful experience, valuable references, and you can take steps towards the career you want. Don’t delay, contact us today!
Life Changes?
When life changes we sometimes need to make a fresh start. Divorce, bereavement, or career changes can impact our lives quite suddenly. You might be looking for a chance to do something different, and make new friends. COMPANIONS can help you gain a new circle of friends in fellow volunteers, and find a way to improve your self confidence by helping others. Don’t delay, contact us today!
Being a Client
COMPANIONS helps people who have prior contact with local mental health professionals and who live within our local area in North East Scotland. It is FREE and is CONFIDENTIAL. It involves well trained volunteers who are interested in helping. A Companion can visit you at home, or help in social situations that you may find difficult. It may be your first step on the road to recovery. If you would like to know more details, please, contact us!
Flora Todd
COMPANIONS
King Street Centre
51 King Street
PETERHEAD
AB42 1TA
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