It’s been a super busy time since we were last in touch and we have a lot planned too! We’d like to update you with some of the latest developments at the Link Visiting Scheme.

Reablement - the way out of lockdown for our clients

It’s been tough for all of us, but for those already lonely and socially isolated the last 12 months have been really challenging. We’ve continued our one-to-one friendship service with volunteers keeping in touch with their Link Friends mainly by telephone and socially distanced visits, but we know this isn’t enough for older people who have been in lockdown for so long.

With the prospect of Link Friends being able to safely have leave their homes, our priority for the next six months is ‘reablement’. We’ll be helping vulnerable older people to overcome some of the harmful effects of prolonged shielding with a support programme designed to improve mobility and confidence, address cognitive decline and have fun connecting with others!

Link To Nature programme is launched

In January we launched our new service - Link to Nature. This is an ongoing seasonal programme designed to re-awaken an interest in nature, enrich friendships by sharing a common interest, and enable our Link Friends to benefit from ongoing activities in-between visits. For the first three months of the year, the theme is birds. Working with local volunteers, we’ve been able to provide our Link Friends with specially built bird feeders, ingredients to make birdseed cakes and a birdwatch book. From April to June we’ll be focussing on growing flowers and vegetables. We’ve received huge interest from our Link Friends and we’ll be scaling this programme up as quickly as we can.

Friendship Groups are re-designed

Friendship Groups are small groups of Link clients and volunteers who meet regularly to form new friendships and broaden connections. Initially we put our plans for Friendship Groups on hold due to social distancing restrictions, but happily we were able to re-design them in an online format. We now have six groups set up with a further two being set up comprising like-minded older people who would benefit from wider friendships. We have loaned some clients a WiFi-enabled tablet computer, others participants have their own technology or have chosen to join the virtual meet-ups via audio. Each session is managed by the Link Project Manager and assisted by a Link volunteer. Longer term, the aim is for groups to self-manage and as soon as we can, and where preferred, we’ll look at reverting to a face-to-face format as originally intended.

Link Online helps older people connect digitally

We’re very aware of the inequalities suffered by older people who are not connected digitally to the outside world. And the pandemic has given us the opportunity to accelerate an exciting new project, Link Online, which provides older people with tablet computers and the training needed to connect with friends and family and access a wealth of digital group activities, services and interests. We are helping lonely and isolated older people who are typically house-bound and excluded from these opportunities due to factors such as lack of knowledge, lack of equipment and lack of confidence. We assess everyone to see how we can help, whether that’s from the absolute beginning or whether further support is needed to expand existing knowledge. Our pilot has been highly successful, with clients telling us what a difference ‘being online’ is making to their lives.

Link Friend Jean told us that being part of the Link Online project had “opened up a whole new world” to her, as she didn’t realise she could use her computer to see and speak to other people. She said: “This is a great idea, it’s something to look forward to and has lifted a cloud for me”.

Lockdown newsletters

With a generous and unexpected donation via the Berkshire Community Foundation, we have been able to provide five newsletters to all 510 of our Link Friends this year. Each letter has a stamped addressed envelope inside to encourage participation and promote that feeling of connection. For example, in one newsletter, we asked our Link Friends to decorate a heart and send it back to us in order for us to create a mural (shown above). We’ve had an incredible response and we would like to continue this project as we move out of lockdown too.

Final comments

The Link has been serving the local community for over twenty years and we’ve never been in more demand than we are now. At the beginning of 2021, we supported 379 older people, that figure now stands at 510, an increase of 30% and we will always try to help those who need us most. If you know someone who you think could benefit from our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch. More info here >>

Would you consider supporting us financially? With your help, we will continue with our mission of making Wokingham Borough a friendly, kind and vibrant place to live for all. Donate here >>

We wish you well,

Marjie Walker

Director

Spring News