The Link Visiting Scheme are delighted to have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK! They are thrilled that their volunteers have received the recognition they so richly deserve. Volunteers have shown wonderful commitment to providing a lifeline of friendship and support to older people struggling with loneliness.
One of their volunteers, Carol, said: “It has been very rewarding getting to know my 87-year-old Link Friend, Jean. She has felt so lonely at times and for the first 8 months of the lockdown, I was her only visitor. I know she gets a lot out of our friendship, as do I. I helped her purchase a tablet computer 18 months ago and have enjoyed teaching her how to use it. She took to it like a duck to water! It has been life changing for her. We have always enjoyed going out together, visiting garden centres, nature reserves or if the weather is good, just going for tea and cake. I really enjoy our friendship and our time together every week.”
They are now looking for more friendship volunteers who can spare an hour or two each week to join the team. Volunteering with the charity offers the chance to make a real difference to the lives of isolated people in our local community. It’s also a chance to make new friends and feel connected. They provide comprehensive training and ongoing support and they match people up based on your availability and location so you can volunteer when it fits in with you!
Find out more by visiting their website: linkvisiting.org/volunteer or by contacting their office: 0118 9798019.