Our Sitting Service enables you to take a break from your role as a Carer and have some much valued respite time secure in the knowledge that the person you care for has company.
This service is provided for up to 3 hours at a time by vetted Volunteers. They provide company and conversation for the person you care for and are a presence in your home in case of an emergency thus giving you peace of mind. We can provide a maximum of 12 sits in a year.
The main requirement for the service is the person you care for should not need assistance with personal care, with mobilising or taking medication. Any other issues can be discussed beforehand with the Sitting Service Support Worker. They will visit you at home to ensure you are eligible for the service and discuss any questions you may have.
During the first home visit our Sitting Service Support Worker will meet with you and discuss the needs, likes, dislikes and interests of yourself and the person you care for. From this information she will endeavour to match you with a volunteer who has similar interests. Another home visit will then be arranged for you to meet the volunteer to ensure that both you and the person you care for feel comfortable and happy with the match before a sit takes place.
Our volunteer sitters have all been interviewed to assess their suitability and attend awareness sessions. They have provided two references and undergone an enhanced DBS check.
Our Sitting Service is currently available five days a week between 9am and 4.30pm. Sadly at this point in time we are unable to offer evening or weekend sits but it is something we would very much like to offer in the future. You are able to have one sit per month, thus allowing you twelve per year. The times and frequency of the sits are at your request, subject to the volunteer’s availability.
Once the Sitting Service has been set up for you, simply contact the Sitting Service Support Worker to arrange your next sit, giving as much notice as possible. The quickest and easiest way is to ring our office on 01539 815970 – Option 6.
Volunteering as a Sitter for Carer Support South Lakes is an incredibly rewarding experience. I have been a Sitter for a number of years now, and have experience of being a Carer myself. I know the importance of having some respite time especially if family and friends do not live locally.
Although I only Sit once a month for my Carer her face lights up when I arrive and she regularly tells me how much she appreciates being able to get out just for a few hours and the peace of mind it gives her knowing I’m there in the home.
Carer Support South Lakes arrange regular volunteer coffee afternoons/mornings and awareness sessions. These are a great way of passing on information and picking up helpful hints from other Sitters.