Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, ‘The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy, it is being unwanted, unloved and uncared for. But the only cure for loneliness, despair and hopelessness is love’.
As a Church community, we believe that God is love, and we want to extend the love of God in a practical way to anyone living in our three village communities of Ashington, Washington and Wiston with Buncton.
As such, Chanctonbury Churches are delighted to be able to offer a new support service called Chanctonbury Befrienders.
Made up of a team of visitors who have been trained by our own overseers, Chanctonbury Befrienders is founded on Christian principles and values, to come alongside and accompany people through whatever challenge they are facing, whether it is loneliness, grief or just feeling that life is a struggle. This team of people are available to listen without judgement, and to work with people to discover honest answers and resolutions in whatever situation. If it is needed, visitors are also able to recommend more specialist help, and would continue to accompany people for as long as is needed. Our team of visitors offer to draw alongside anyone who is feeling lonely or is bereaved or without hope. No one need suffer in isolation. Chanctonbury Befrienders are a people of hope, who believe in a God of hope. They ‘mourn with those who mourn’, knowing that God ‘comforts the downcast’.
To access ‘Chanctonbury Befrienders’, you do not have to be a member of one of our churches, nor call yourself a person of faith, and you will not be required to join a church, although you would be made most welcome!
If you would like one of our team to visit you, please ring 01903 893648 and ask for ‘Chanctonbury Befrienders’. A few details will be taken, and then you will be called back to arrange a first visit at your own home. Following this, we will link you with your own visitor who will be there to give you continuing support.
Chanctonbury Befrienders is a confidential service and all the visitors are DBS* (Enhanced) cleared and are regularly supervised.
Alternatively, contact us by email at befrienders@chanctonburychurches.org.uk letting us know your name and telephone number, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We recognise that life can be challenging in so many ways. Chanctonbury Befrienders has been established to walk with you through difficult times, helping you to overcome challenges and to live a full life in increasing wholeness.
Rev. Mike Nevill is married to Sue and they live in Ashington. He has three sons, the eldest having severe learning difficulties. Mike was a regular soldier for twelve years and then a computer engineer before being ordained as a Church of England minister. Since then he has served in parish ministry in Yorkshire and Sussex, military chaplaincy and lastly, seventeen years in hospice chaplaincy until retiring in 2015.