A Wokingham charity that aims to combat loneliness in older people urgently seeks people to join its growing team of volunteers.
The Link Visiting Scheme helps senior residents to make friends and to enjoy engaging with the community.
The charity’s team of trained volunteers give up their time for a couple of hours once a week or fortnight, to visit an older person, to help improve wellbeing, develop friendship, and to have fun together.
Loneliness and isolation can negatively impact people’s mood, stress levels, anxiety and confidence, says the charity.
But spending quality time with someone regularly can be transforming, especially when residents may otherwise see very few people.
The Link has 400 volunteers in Wokingham Borough who befriend older people, visiting them at home, or taking them out to local venues like garden centres or coffee shops.
And a programme of social events organised by the charity enables seniors to join social groups within a safe and friendly environment.
Gatherings include pub lunches, bowling, singing, and yoga.
Link core services manager Karan Pollard said: “There has been a huge influx of people needing one to one engagement, and we are looking for more volunteers to meet that need.
“Generally we receive around 35 new senior referrals each month, but only eight or nine new volunteers.”
People who sign up to help are able to learn new skills, and can contribute at times that fit in with their own schedules.
“We try to be flexible because we want them to be able to enjoy participating.”
Perhaps because of this, the charity has no problem retaining volunteers.
“Some people can contribute only at weekends,” she added.
“If they work full time, this may be their only opportunity to get involved, but it’s actually a great time to volunteer, as weekends are often the loneliest times for isolated people.
“They are also a great opportunity for volunteers new to the area to enjoy making new friends at our Community Kitchen.”
The kitchen meets once a month on a Sunday, at Wokingham’s Floreat Montague Park School, with volunteers collecting lunch guests, making food, or laying tables for a community lunch together.
Other supporters lead armchair yoga sessions or group meetings.
Active Minds is a social group run by The Link for people experiencing memory loss.
Specialist volunteers are trained to lead an eight week course where small groups enjoy quizzes, word games and discussions designed to help build confidence and friendships, while having fun.
“There is a huge delay in diagnosing people suspected of suffering from cognitive impairment, and we know that without intervention, mental deterioration can be rapid,” said Karan.
Volunteering can be very rewarding for both the receiver and the giver.
“One of our volunteers said that he had completely underestimated the positive effect giving his time could have on someone else’s life,” agreed Karan.
“Another said that they had learnt from their new Link friend how to be more patient, and how to slow down the very fast pace of their own busy life.
“Volunteering is such a gift.
“Giving just a small amount of time, can make all the difference to someone who is isolated.”
Volunteers are urgently needed throughout the borourough, but the charitiy is particularly seeking volunteers in Woodley, Earley and Twyford.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call: 0118 979 8019, email: arjie@linkvisiting.org, or visit the charity’s website at: www.linkvisiting.org/volunteer
