A SOUTHAMPTON man who is housebound due to the current pandemic is being helped to rediscover his love of art thanks to a charity-run befriending scheme in the city.
Mark Compton, who struggles with depression and is a wheelchair user due to severe back pain, was befriended by Communicare volunteer, Lindsey Fraser and she challenged him to draw something.
Olympian and diving coach Lindsey, who represented Britain twice at the Olympics and has also competed at the Commonwealth Games, speaks to Mark on the phone weekly for around 20-30 minutes.
Mark was a national pool champion and referee up until 2014 but unfortunately his back pain hindered him from continuing with this.
He is also an art lover and draws portraits.
Lindsey said: “I gave him the challenge to draw a picture because he hadn’t done anything for a week. He wasn’t getting out of bed and wasn’t even doing his sudokus, which he loves. He told me not to tell him what to do, but nonetheless, it was the first thing he told me about the following week.
"I think it’s very good, he’s a great artist!”
Mark says: “I enjoy having Lindsey as a telephone pal, as she has experience of ex-forces people, so she understands the sense of humour that goes with that and I don't have to explain myself. "Anybody ringing for a chat is good, as I am at home all the time at the moment and her calls have been very good for me.
"I really enjoyed doing the portrait, it gave me a purpose.”
The telephone service is part of Communicare's aim to eradicate loneliness in Southampton.
Applications to volunteer as a telephone befriender can be made on the charity's website.
The charity's 12th annual Tree of Light fundraising campaign has now been launched online which allows people to sponsor a light to remember lost loved ones at Christmas.
If received by the charity by December 16, the names of loved ones will be printed in The Daily Echo.
Names received after this will still be recorded in a remembrance book by the charity.
A sponsorship form can be found here with a suggested donation of £7.
Alternatively call Communicare on 023 8021 6022.
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