Acute loneliness and prolonged social isolation are growing problems

Since lockdown, The Link Visiting Scheme have continued to operate our core one-to-one befriending service with our brilliant volunteer team adapting to telephone-based contact and socially distanced visits with their Link Friends (in line with government guidance). For many clients, our services have never been more vital since becoming even more isolated, often with no one else to call on for support. In March we were appointed the lead partner for social support as part of the Community Response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has been a hugely challenging effort, but our incredible team succeeded in making almost 16,000 welfare check and social support calls with shielded residents and with those finding isolation particularly difficult.

We recruited over 660 temporary volunteers for the Community Response team many of which have transitioned to long term volunteering within the various organisations we put them in touch with. We will continue to be on hand to support our community as long as the pandemic continues.

“I was really struggling on my own. I had no one at all. I feel so much calmer knowing I’ll have a regular call! I’m not in this by myself anymore.” - Jean, 83

Goody Bags delivered and delighted

In August we received funding from the Lottery allowing us to put together over 400 ‘Wellbeing Goody Bags’, which were hand-delivered by volunteers to our Link Friends. Packed with treats, the bags were a way to let our Link Friends know that they hadn’t been forgotten and the community is still thinking about them. Jill, 78, told us: “I’ve never known kindness like it!”.

Increasing mobility and confidence post lockdown

Once shielding restrictions were lifted, many older people expressed how they no longer felt confident to leave their homes. Many felt that their mobility had deteriorated due to lack of movement and didn’t feel they could access their pre-covid lifestyle. We worked with Age UK Berkshire, Wokingham Borough Council Sports & Leisure Team and Occupational Therapists to help around 150 people develop an exercise plan and regain confidence.

“My morning exercises have helped ease my neck pain and for the first time in three months, I felt confident to walk to the postbox on my own. I’m so grateful for the extra help. I don’t feel like I’m trapped inside anymore” - Wendy, 87yrs

Clients tell us about the difference we make

We recently asked our Link Friends for feedback about themselves and their experience of The Link Visiting Scheme. We were delighted that nearly 150 clients responded and provided us with a lot of valuable information and they were overwhelmingly positive about our work. In fact, 99% of those who were able to respond, rated our service good or excellent. Tom, 74, told us his Link Friend is “one in a million”; Edna, 93, expressed how much she enjoys chatting and sharing a laugh or two with her Link Friend, who “may be the only person I have spoken to that day”; and Eva, 86, said she feels “less lonely knowing someone is coming over”.

Demand for our services grows

With continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, we are finding that many of those for whom we provided Community Response support would like to receive our services on an ongoing basis. They remain isolated and lonely as COVID-19 continues to curtail social interaction and they have established valued friendships through us.

The detrimental impact of shielding, combined with growing numbers of referrals from Community Navigators and NHS social prescribers, means we are experiencing a large increase in demand for our services.

No-one will be forgotten this Christmas

Normally we hold a series of community events around the festive season including a Christmas party for all our Link Friends and a Christmas Day lunch for those on their own.

This year, we will be:

sending a Christmas newsletter and a specially designed Link Visiting Scheme calendar to all our clients. The calendar will not only contain uplifting images of local nature, but also useful information about our services and other services relevant to our clients.
delivering hampers on Christmas Day full of treats and activities to those who will be alone.

Activities and events re-invented for 2021

Our focus in 2021 will be on events and activities which can take place safely within the homes of our Link Friends. We have redesigned many of our community-based activities so that they can be delivered online or in-home.

They include:

Friendship Groups – regular online social get-togethers of small groups of Link Friends and volunteers
Online Singalong - monthly online sessions accessed in-home with volunteer assistance if needed
Crochet for the Community – in-home crocheting programme making items for the community such as pre-natal baby hats and fiddle blankets for dementia sufferers (using patterns and wool supplied by The Link)
Jigsaw Club – monthly delivery and collection of jigsaws
Online Games Club – monthly online session accessed in-home with volunteer assistance, if needed
Friends for Ages Pen Pals - older people paired with young parents & toddlers who exchange letters and pictures
Community Kitchen Cakes and Cuppa – monthly preparation and delivery of volunteer-baked cakes along with a visit and cuppa.

Introducing our brand new service - ‘Link to Nature’

In early 2021 we’re delighted to be launching a new service called ‘Link to Nature’. This is an ongoing seasonal programme of mainly home-based activities incorporating gardening, wildlife and crafts which our Link Friends and volunteers can participate in together.

We are hugely excited about this initiative 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.

Final comments

The pain and struggle of loneliness will continue to be a core issue for many in the months ahead. We are determined to do all we can to ensure those who are referred to us feel valued, seen and important.

Although it’s been an incredibly tough year for so many people in our Borough, as a small staff team we feel very proud that we have enabled volunteers to respond to the needs of their local community quickly and effectively. Many have experienced volunteering for the first time and it’s been wonderful to hear of the intense satisfaction they have experienced as they connect with people desperate to hear a friendly voice. One of our volunteers summed up her experience with us beautifully: “Some days have been heartbreaking, every day has been a privilege.”

Autumn News