When you access this phone service, you will get a phone call once a week for 8 weeks.  Each phone call will last up to one hour and with the same person, so you get to know them and they get to know you.

We call this person a ‘Chatter’. The Chatter is a friendly volunteer who has been trained by CNWL Recovery College and will listen with compassion, openness and ask how you are. You can speak to the Chatter in confidence about your worries and feelings. The calls will start quickly, generally in 2 to 4 weeks.

You can talk about anything you want.

• The Chatter can work with you to find out what local services might be of benefit to you such as signposting to services, advice or practical help.
• You can talk to them about what you are experiencing together.
• Where you can get support from your local carers’ community, if you’re a carer.
• How to connect with people or your interests on the internet.
• Ways to look after your mental health and wellbeing.
• How to learn to not feel guilty about needing a break from looking after a loved one.
• You might just want to talk about your feelings and have someone listen.
• Perhaps you want to chat about hobbies or work.
• You may have an interest in exploring other cultures, languages or food.
• Courses that will help you manage your wellbeing for example.

The service is Trustwide which means we operate in any of the boroughs and areas that CNWL covers.

You can use our service if you are:

• Carers that are not (current) service users themselves
• Carers of CNWL service users that are continuing to access services at time of referral and/ or for the foreseeable future
• Carers of CNWL service users who have been discharged from a CNWL service in the last 6 months. 
• Over 18 years old.

Am I a carer? Please read our “Information for carers” page to check.

If you are a carer, you can self-refer in the following ways by

• filling in our self-referral form
• calling us on 020 7685 5957
• emailing us at cnwl.check-inandchat@nhs.net 

CNWL Chatters are friendly trained volunteers who have a keen interest in supporting others. Every so often we will open this opportunity for members of our local communities to apply to become a Chatter. If you want to know more about what the role of a Chatter is, we have this role description.

We are not looking for Chatters at the moment, but if you are interested in this role, please email cnwl.volunteer@nhs.net expressing yoru interest and we will be in touch when the role becomes available.

If you are an existing member of CNWL staff, you can submit an Expression of Interest by emailing Karen.Rogers27@nhs.net

Support our Chatters and Carers – become a Supervisor

• Gain supervisory experience
• Understand the diverse needs of a carer
• Rewarding role where you can help our volunteer Chatters grow in to their role
• See role description online here. 

CNWL’s Check in & Chat Volunteer Supervisor, Elaine Singaram talks about her role in this video.