Compassionate Friends

Hold out a helping hand

Anyone can be a Compassionate Friend in their community. All it takes is the desire to make a difference to a person with a life-limiting illness or someone affected by the loss or illness of a loved one.

You don’t need to be a professional counsellor or health expert, just a good listener who shows they care through simple, heartfelt actions like lending a helping hand with chores, sharing a cup of tea, offering a friendly ear, providing a lift for a shopping trip or a hospital appointment, or even starting up a Compassionate Café.

St Luke’s runs supportive awareness sessions for people who would like to understand more about how to help someone in a respectful, non-judgmental way, as well as how to encourage and manage conversations about death and dying, signposting to other support sources, and how to look after yourself by respecting your own limitations and comfort zone.

For more information about our Awareness Sessions please email the Community Development Team community.development@stlukes-hospice.org.uk or click on the ‘Courses’ button below.

The Compassionate Friends initiative is not the same as becoming a St Luke’s volunteer, which involves training for specific supportive roles within the organisation. Click here for more information on volunteering.