Help Age UK Westminster combat loneliness

New analysis by Age UK has found that 198,000 older people in London can go for a month without meeting up with a friend, and that 19,000 over 65s in the region have not even had a conversation with family or friends over the same period.

Many people experience loneliness at some point in their lives. For the majority the feeling of loneliness passes, yet for some it can persist, undermining their well-being and impacting negatively on their quality of life.

How your donations can help us

- Provide an inclusive activity programme providing a mix of in-person and online weekly activities

- Provide face to face and telephone befriending where we match a DBS checked volunteers to isolated local residents with similar interests to develop friendships

- Provide Older Peoples forums where residents can be heard and tell us what they want to see delivered in their community. Help with planning, design and delivery of activities.

- Provide volunteering opportunities specifically for people aged 60+ so they can share their skills, keep active and give back to their community. We provide a variety of opportunities catering for individuals differing needs and abilities.

- Help to recondition older Westminster residents by helping them to rebuild their confidence and improve their health and wellbeing and engage in their local community following the pandemic

Where might your money go?

- £5.00 - enable us to provide refreshments (tea/coffee and biscuits/cakes) at a social group activity

- £25 - would cover an hour of a fitness instructors time to deliver a fun and social exercise class to a group of older people

- £40 - would pay for a months worth of PPE to ensure staff are able to deliver activities safely

- £1,000 - would enable us to recruit, train and match a befriending volunteer with a lonely and isolated local older resident to provide support and friendship

The results

Combating isolation and loneliness

Increasing physical activity

Improving overall mental health and wellbeing

Ensuring we have a healthier and happier community in Westminster

Enabling those who are most vulnerable to not be left behind

Responding to the changing needs of local residents

Testimonials

First of all, receive my heartfelt thanks for the outstanding event yesterday I enjoyed it very much from the beginning to the end. And second, I would love to be booked for the dance classes.

-Event attendee

Just writing to thank you for organising the day which I very much enjoyed. Judging from the participants around me everyone else seemed to be enjoying it too! Please keep me on your mailing list as I would like to take part again if you organise any similar events.

-Rosemary, event attendee

When I retired three years ago, I became cut off and started to feel low. Thats when I turned to Age UK Westminsters Befriending service. Ive been seeing J every week since Christmas, 2018 and its made such a big difference to my life. We have a lot in common so have lots to talk about. I really look forward to Js visit, its a real booster for me and has really helped with my confidence.

-Befriending client

I wanted to write and thank you and your other Volunteers for organising and conducting our ZSL tour yesterday. It was so lovely to be out and about in nature again.

-Event attendee