David and Terry have been matched since October 2025 through our Compassionate Neighbours programme. It’s a social movement which helps to tackle the loneliness and isolation that many people face towards the end of life due to age or illness. 

We sat down with them both to discuss how they’ve found it:

David is a Trinity supporter but wanted to get more involved, and the Compassionate Neighbour programme seemed like the right fit. “The word neighbour resonates with me as I’ve always been friendly with my neighbours. It’s another person in your life who adds to your life. You’re both getting something out of it, not just the community member.”

Terry had recently been diagnosed with a life-limiting condition and was looking for someone to have a regular chat with, as it’s just him and his wife, Ursula, at home. Terry used to drive Ambulances for patients at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. He’s been there for people at every stage of their life, so he didn’t want sympathy from his match. 

“I treated everyone as family in my job, so I wanted someone to do that with me. That’s what David has done.”

How was it being matched?

On first hearing about Compassionate Neighbours, Terry was hesitant due to not knowing who you’ll be matched with or if you’ll get along. But Patrick, in Trinity’s Community Engagement team, works hard to understand each volunteer and Community Member, so when Patrick rang Terry to tell him he had found a match, he said “oh go on then,” and the rest is history. 

David added, “One great thing about the programme is once the introduction is made, you’re on your own. They don’t interfere.” One piece of advice David would give to new Community Members is to be open with your match. David and Terry have no restrictions on what they talk about. They talk about anything and everything from politics to jobs to Terry’s care, from New Zealand to London life to family. There is endless laughter.

“It’s a natural and easy friendship with no restrictions on what we talk about.”  - David 

This is both of their first matches, and it seems like it’s the perfect partnership. 

From spending just one hour with David and Terry, it’s clear that it’s not a one-sided friendship. Even when David couldn’t visit one week because he was unwell, Terry offered to visit him despite not being able to leave the house. They check in with each other frequently and Terry has told David he is welcome anytime, but the friendship extends beyond them both. Ursula often joins their weekly laughing sessions, and David shares stories of his own family who he hopes to properly introduce to Terry soon.

"He's no longer a companion. He's my best friend." - Terry

What would you say to someone considering the Compassionate Neighbours programme?

David’s words of encouragement for anyone looking to volunteer would be “The training is very good. Do the training. You’ll learn a lot, and then you can make up your mind.

The most important thing to remember is that you’re not just visiting someone. Someone is also visiting you. You learn from each other. You’re both getting something out of it. I know I have.” 

When we asked Terry about Compassionate Neighbours, he said “I had some anxiety going into the first session, but then we were matched so well by Patrick that all that went away. 

Once a week is not enough. I wait for Thursdays for our chats. David makes me feel really good because we’re so open with each other. We’ve put the world to rights in our chats. It’s easy. No silence.”

“If I could die laughing, I would be happy, and I laugh all the time with David.” - Terry

If you are interested in learning more about our Compassionate Neighbours programme and how you can get involved then you can find out more below.

Learn more about Compassionate NeighboursApply to be a Compassionate Neighbour