Befriending Scheme Launched in Rushcliffe

A new project has been launched to help tackle loneliness amongst older people living in Rushcliffe. Managed by Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service, Rushcliffe Befriends aims to pair up people aged 50+ who are lonely and/or finding it hard to get out and about.

The befriender, a volunteer  of a similar age who’ll offer them company and support, will visit the person they’re supporting in their own home and help them participate in their choice of activities. This might be a coffee morning or social group gathering, an arts and crafts or exercise class, sporting activities such as bowls, or simply going for a walk or to the cinema.

Rushcliffe Befriends Coordinator, Lindsay Knott, comments: ‘People can become isolated for a variety of reasons including retirement, poor physical or mental health, family and friends too far away to make regular contact, disability or mobility difficulties.

Having the support of a befriender can help people make new friends , try out new activities beyond their four walls and can lead to  increased confidence, a better quality of life and improved physical and mental health. What is really important is that this project is about older people helping other older people, and about older people making their communities a better place to live.

Rushcliffe Befriends is looking for volunteers aged 50+  to become befrienders. You just need to be able to spare 1-2 hours a week as training, support and expenses will be provided. If you’d like to be involved  please contact Lindsay on 0115 969 9060 or email befriends@rushcliffecvs.org.uk. Please also get in touch if you’d like to benefit from the scheme.

By Faye Stenson