A SOUTHAMPTON charity needs to double their volunteers in order to combat loneliness.

New figures released show that Communicare has a “huge deficiency” in the number of volunteers on their books.

The charity has 169 lonely people who are on its waiting list in desperate need of company and help around the house.

The St Mary Street-based charity is asking people with a couple of hours spare a month to sign up and offer friendship and help to an elderly person in the city.

As reported Communicare’s annual Tree of Light campaign got off to a flying start when dozens sponsored a light on the tree in Woolston Millenium Garden to remember a loved one.

Now a new campaign will aim to double the number of volunteers to help those who don’t currently get help.

Regional recruitment manager Hannah Waddington signed up to the scheme after settling in Southampton for work.

The 33-year-old was paired up with recently widowed Patricia Collins, 85, of Bassett.

Now she is urging others to do the same, and said: “It’s our generation’s responsibility to be befrienders”.

Hannah said: “I had always thought about doing something like this.

“I Googled 'befriending' and this took me to Southampton Voluntary Services, which led me on to finding Communicare in Southampton.”

Now just one year on the pair have become firm friends, enjoying a shared love of classical music and going to concerts together.

Hannah visits Patricia for just a few hours each month - but it means so much.

Patricia said: “I love having Hannah; if I had had a daughter, I’d have liked one like her. She takes me out to concerts and the cinema.”

A Communicare spokesperson said: “Loneliness is on the rise and not just in the elderly - younger people were more likely to admit that they were lonely too.

“One way of supporting the campaign is through the Tree of Light sponsorship. For more information go to communicareinsouthampton.org.uk”

In December 2017 it had 259 clients and 196 registered volunteers out of the 259 clients that were helped 93 requests were for befriending and 165 for transport.

The169 clients on the waiting list have a total of 187 requests ranging from befriending, transport, DIY and gardening, shopping, errands and community teas. A total of 129 are waiting for a befriender.

The lights were turned off on the tree on Saturday but the book will go to print this summer.

If you would like to add a name before the book goes on tour to libraries and churches around the city contact the charity as soon as possible.

- If you would like to volunteer as a befriender for Communicare contact 023 8021 6016.

NAMES REMEMBERED:

  • The Haven Lunch Club remember lost friends
  • Judith Bartlett remembers David
  • Shirley Head remembers Bryan Head
  • Vi Noyce remembers Edwin Wells and Ena Lambourne
  • Ada Greenwood remembers Ernest Greenwood and Janet Bell
  • Chris Barker remembers Doreen Barker
  • Joan Burks remembers Asha Gouget and David Burks
  • Helen Giachardi remembers Fiona Shephard and Matilda Levett-Giachardi.
  • Katherine Giachardi remembers Matilda
  • Lindsey Fraser remembers Matilda Levett-Giachardi and Fiona Shephard
  • Anne Clewlow remembers Vic and Lydia Clewlow, David Burks, Asha Gouget, and Fiona Shephard
  • Norma Colverson remembers Bill Colverson and Clare Donnachie
  • Jean Tucker remembers Zoe Taylor
  • Jackie Collins remembers Julia Paglia
  • Mum, Dad, Angela, Monty, Fiona and family remember Ralph Page
  • The Yates Family remember Charlie Yates, Pop Yates and Maise Gentle
  • Audrey Pitches remembers Irene-Charlies Feauer
  • Larry and Yvonne remember Brian Field and Gerry Hann
  • Michael Shephard remembers Fiona Shephard
  • Iris Arnold remembers Dennis George Arnold
  • Sheelagh Dragon remembers Charles Edward Dragon
  • John Duncan remembers Margaret Prince and Terry Gerrard
  • Marion Corneby remembers John Corneby and Karen L Mitchell
  • Clare Challis remembers her dad
  • J Emerton remembers Richard Emerton and Paola Payne
  • Jennifer Paskins remembers Amanda J Cobb
  • Ann Sammit remembers Vic Sammit-Elizabeth, Herbert, Kenneth Hampton-Lilian, and Arch Nash
  • Janet Gotham remembers Kenneth and Pauline Mackenzie
  • Angela and Rick remember Sarah Connolly
  • Margaret Langford remembers Edna Cropper-Kit and Ray Trott- Doreen Staniford
  • Malcom Monkeith remembers Jean Whittam-Donald Whittam-Margaret Monteith
  • Jean Mason remembers Una Hooper-Brian Mason-Mary Alford.
  • Dawn Dawkins remembers Owen Dawkins-Joy and George Cooper
  • Jean Wilson remembers Elsie and Ernie Booth-Denis and Dorothy Howarth-Christine Nicholson
  • Joan Moxham remembers David Moxham
  • Hazel Bracher remembers John Kenneth Bracher
  • Mary Holloway remembers Jim Holloway-Peter Holloway-George Warren-Mrs Jo Warren-Patrick Holloway-Margaret Holloway
  • Brenda Roberts remembers Leonard Roberts
  • Jenny Loader remembers Mr and Mrs F Mills, Mr and Mrs P Loader
  • Glad, Bob, Madge, Zoe Angie and Marie remember Ron Burt
  • Maralyn,Bob,Zoe Angie and Marie remember Peggy Bagg
  • Maralyn,Bob,Zoe,Angie and Marie remember Beatie Bagg
  • Maurice and Margie D’eath remember Rona and Charles Smith and Hilda Bailey
  • Mary Carnegie remembers Sheila Sherwood and Gene Mangold
  • Rosemary Badham remembers Desmond Hill-Doreen Hill
  • Thelma Hurrell remembers Bill, Vicky and Alex.
  • Jean Lewis remembers Phil.
  • Pauline Holmes remembers Russell Holmes, Bill, and Jean Pusley
  • George Hitchiner-Joan Hitchiner
  • Janet Griffin remembers Mr Brian Bagley and Miss Cicely Easterby
  • Louise Taylor remembers Robin Taylor
  • Rosina Plomer remembers Harold Plomer
  • Joan Cole remembers Norman Albert Cole
  • Ruby Parks remembers Albie Parks
  • Manisha Fagan remembers Hari Fagan
  • Kim Lidbuey remembers George and Betty Hawthorne
  • Christine and David Walter remember Grace Walter
  • The gang’ remember Margaret and John Jamieson
  • Barrie, mum, dad and Herbert remember Betty and Elspeth
  • Danny, Jen, Grandad Vic and Titch Reeves remember Oliver
  • Susan Stark remembers Tom Stark
  • Jean Tucker remembers Zoe Taylor
  • Linda Cantello remembers Cyril Cantello
  • Paul Drew remembers James Alexander Drew
  • Donna White remembers Terence White
  • Melanie Drew remembers Robin Charles Noyce
  • Chris, Bev, Alastair & Dominic remember Jackie Pearce, Owen Dawkins, and Fishy
  • Tina Mentor remembers Fred and Gwen Manley
  • Lynda Giles remembers David Giles
  • Sue, Paul and Vicki remember John Hatch
  • Anita, Trevor, Liane and family remember Courtney Taylor
  • Alicia and family remember Fred Storey
  • The below names were put in the paper but you may want to add these to the website:
  • Gill Yeates remembers Gladys Truckel & Janice Truckel
  • Michael Chapman remembers Don & Josephine England
  • Mrs Scarlett remembers David Noel Scarlett
  • Miss Janet Dean remembers Joseph Evans (First World War) & Joseph Evans (Second World War)
  • Mr and Mrs Jones remember Tracey Jones
  • Mum and dad and Claire remember Greg
  • Mrs Bernadette Clarke remembers Margaret Frampton
  • Sylvia Lessiter remembers Ian Lessiter.
  • Mrs Wendy Hunt remembers Phoebe Joanne Craig
  • Mr Ian Powis remembers Roy Starbuck
  • Mrs Doreen Powis remembers Roy Starbuck
  • Mr Paul Harris remembers Lynne Margaret Harris
  • Mr & Mrs Beckerleg remember Nora Beckerleg, Vera & Alan Tapley and Margaret Hancocks
  • Kellie Bell remembers her mum
  • Chris Marshall remembers David Moxham and Cyril Marshall
  • Gill remembers Martin Kiernan
  • Susan Seal remembers Joan Bennett; mum and Nan from Sue, Peter, Hannah Seal; Esther Seal and Richard Viney; Rachel and Paul Bridges
  • Beverley Carter remembers her mum and dad
  • Janice Ryles remembers John Ryles