People over 75 in Nottinghamshire are to get regular visits from volunteer ‘friends’ in a bid to improve their mental and physical well-being.
Caring Companions is a weekly befriending service set up by the charity, Voluntary Action Broxtowe, to tackle loneliness among older people who have no immediate family or friends.
A trained volunteer will visit their companion every week and provide ‘friendly chat and warm company’ in order to help with feelings of isolation commonly experienced by elderly people.
The service will be rolled out across the county, starting in Attenborough, Beeston, Bramcote, Chilwell, Stapleford and Toton.
Voluntary Action Broxtowe (VAB) has been active since 1976 and provides support to vulnerable groups within the community.
As part of the scheme, they are also looking to co-operate with other groups in the Nottinghamshire to help older people access a range of services.
Befriending is a way of sharing life’s ups and downs and even providing just ‘a good old gossip’ from time to time.
It also means regular checks can be made into the safety and wellbeing of an elderly person.
Sharon Ensor, Caring and Companion Co-ordinator at Voluntary Action Broxtowe, says: “We had the befriending service at VAB many years ago but because of funds and other politics we had to take it away.
“We got left some money from a lady that had been befriended and we thought setting it up again would be a really nice thing to do with the money.”
Tackling loneliness within older people really benefits them mentally but health-wise as well.
Volunteers, who spare a couple of hours every week, can come from all walks of life and just need to show an eagerness to make a difference within the community.
VAB will match people based on a number of factors, such as interests, dislikes and beliefs.
If you know anyone who would benefit from a visit or you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 0115 917 80 80.
