Case Study: Sheffield CCCC

7th November 2024

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) provides older people with a helping hand when they need it most. Their Good Neighbour Scheme is not just about friendly visiting. It’s about providing a lifeline to older people when they need it most, offering the kind of straightforward help a ‘good neighbour’ might give.

Their case study shares the story of Lyn and her befriender Becca.

Struggling to adapt

Lyn was referred to the SCCCC Good Neighbour Scheme, in June 2022 by a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Her husband of 60 years had died around a year before the referral, but she was still very much struggling to adapt to life without him. She has impaired mobility so struggles to get out into her community. Still independent and living at home, with some support from her daughter, she spent much of her time alone and wanted company.

Waiting for a match

Unfortunately, the charity had quite a wait for their befriending service despite constantly recruiting volunteers. This is especially true in the S5 postcode area of Sheffield where demand is at an all-time high for support. SCCCC kept in touch with Lyn, making welfare calls to chat and to see how she was doing every six to eight weeks.

A qualified sewing machinist, knitter and crafter, Lyn kept herself busy by being creative and watching her favourite TV shows. Then in September 2023, a volunteer became available who seemed a great match.

“We laugh and cry together”

Becca has been volunteering with SCCCC for 4 years and in the summer, the lovely lady she previously supported died, so she was looking for someone else to support and enjoy spending time with.

A shared love of Downton Abbey amongst other things got them chatting and they got on famously!

After the first few visits, the team at SCCCC thanked Becca for supporting Lyn and asked her how they were getting along. Becca said:

“It’s my absolute pleasure. She is absolutely lovely.  So different to my last lady, so it feels right. I think we will become good pals. I saw her again yesterday which was fab. I think chatting to somebody is really helping her.  I’ve arranged to see her again next Wednesday which is her husband’s third anniversary of his death – was really touched that she asked me if I would visit that day to cheer her up.”

Recently Becca became an aunt and Lyn adores hearing about how the little one is doing as she loves children and one of her favourite things to make are baby outfits.

When Lyn was asked about her experience with SCCCC and Becca, she said;

“I can tell her anything, we laugh and cry together, Becca listens and does not judge me. She sorts things out for me. I feel SCCCC provided me with the most help out of any service and they are so professional.”