Volunteer Case Studies
Thank you for considering volunteering with us…
Looking to volunteer?
Did you know that befriending is one of the most inclusive forms of volunteering? During lockdown in 2020 it was the most popular kind of informal volunteering that took place across the UK. People connected with neighbours and relative strangers to do their shopping, chat and make sure they were coping.
Many of these relationships have continued which is really heartening to see, and it has made us all so much more aware of the importance of even the smallest interaction with a fellow human being – whether that’s chatting with someone in the supermarket as you pack your shopping or the busy banter you overhear and smile at on a bus – but did you know that as many as two-fifths of all older people say the TV is their main source of company and according to Age UK Half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.
These statistics are pretty harrowing but services like Visiting Friends can really make a difference and so can you!
Why bother about loneliness at all?
Loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds and we offer our services to any adult. While we do have some younger clients, the majority are elderly. Research has shown that chronic loneliness can adversely affect our physical and mental health.
It increases the risk of heart disease, dementia and depression. Most worryingly it can increase our risk of death by 29%!
Loneliness has been a problem in our community long before lockdown and if anything, the problem is worse now than before, especially as so many people have lost confidence about returning to their old routines – so we need your help more than ever!
Who can volunteer?
Here at Visiting Friends, we know that volunteers are at the heart of what we do and we are always looking for male and female volunteers from all walks of life, aged 18 and over (there’s no upper age limit!).
One thing our volunteers have in common is that they all feel like they are making a difference. Volunteering with us is also a great way to stave off loneliness and meet new friends – maybe you’re new to the area or are retired and need a new routine?
It can also make your CV stand out, and if you volunteer with us for at least six months we can potentially provide you with a reference.
Whatever your reason for volunteering, we’d like to hear from you!