ReConnect Gloucestershire CIC
About ReConnect Gloucestershire CIC
Reconnect Gloucestershire plays a vital role in addressing isolation, loneliness, and health inequalities among stroke survivors, those with aphasia and their carers. Following a stroke, many experience sudden life changes that disconnect them from work, hobbies, and social communities. This leads to marginalisation and exclusion, especially for those in rural or deprived areas, or from underrepresented groups. Strokes affect all ages and all sorts of people and usually comes with little prior warning. Gloucestershire has over 13,500 stroke survivors and nearly 3,700 people affected by aphasia. Our stroke befrienders, offer a beacon of hope at a time of need by providing telephone, face to face and hospital befriending as well as helping us run 12 face to face or online groups across Gloucestershire. Our free befriending service is one of a kind.Suites ABC South First, The Wheelhouse, Bond’s Mill,, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3RF, GB
Service Eligibility
We support adults ( 18 +)living in Gloucestershire affected by stroke and aphasia as well as their carers.
Our home befriending service is prioritised for those who cannot get out to one of our stroke groups and who do not have local support. We offer the service currently in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Stroud (or nearby). Other areas are added as we gain more widespread volunteers.
Our telephone befriending service is for anyone in Gloucestershire who has had a stroke or has aphasia.
Our Hospital befriending service is within Cheltenham General Hospital (Woodmancote and Hatherley wards) and The Vale Hospital in Dursley.
Our Stroke Support Groups are in Tewkesbury, Cirencester and Cam or online.
Our Aphasia choirs are in Churchdown and Rodborough as well as online.
Our general interest groups are in Cheltenham, Gloucester and online.
Information for Volunteers
We have over 60 volunteers who help us with all aspects of one-to-one befriending, supporting a group or providing digital support. We couldn’t do this without them…
Volunteers share their invaluable experiences of living with long-term health conditions, to offer support and help other people in a similar situation to build confidence. All befrienders are trained in communication techniques – so aphasia need not be a barrier. All our volunteers also have DBS Enhanced Clearance and are overseen by our Volunteer Manager.
As a valued member of our friendly team, volunteering will enable you to meet new people with long-term health conditions and connect to your local community. Your skills will be celebrated and nurtured so that you have a great volunteering experience from start to finish.
Time commitment is usually 1-2 hours per week or fortnight.
More InformationAge Groups
Young People (18-25), Adults (25-65), Older Adults (65+)Themes
Ethnic Minority Communities, Learning Disabilities, Lone Parent Families, Mental Health, Sensory Impairment, Specific Health Condition, Disability, Older PeopleRegions
Country: England
Other Regions: South West England
Other Information
Type of Befriending: Distance befriending including telephone, video call, letter writing or other means, Face to face befriending which takes place in the home or community
Who can refer: Self Referrals Accepted, Friends & Family Referrals Accepted, Professional Referrals Accepted