Thanks to Jeremy Sharpe for sending this inspiring article about churches and other agencies working together to bring something into life that's so badly needed...
The Link Visiting Scheme is a
befriending service based in Wokingham Borough which aims to combat social
isolation among older people.
The scheme - initiated in 1998 by
Woodley Baptist Church in Berkshire – arranges for a volunteer to visit an
older person once a week for between one and two hours. This contact often
provides a lifeline to older people who may not otherwise have any contact with
the outside world. After operating in the
town of Woodley for 9 years, the church recognised the need for such a scheme
across a wider area, and in 2007
church leaders from across Wokingham Borough explored ways in which they could
work together to address issues of isolation. This resulted in 19 churches of
various denominations creating a network for this purpose. The Local Authority then
agreed to provide funding to enable staff to be employed to run the project.
The
primary focus of the original scheme remains on home visiting but other
projects have since been started according to the needs and interests of older
people. These include weekly ‘Understanding Computers’ courses which enable
older people to learn how to use email and the internet. (This leads to their
being able to communicate regularly with relatives, or investigate other local
activities available to them); Regular ‘Pie and Pint Clubs’ aimed particularly
at older men who may have been bereaved or are isolated for other reasons; other
projects such as Singing Groups, Bowls Clubs and various outings and special
events. In all, over 230 older people are now regularly reached of which 150
receive visits and a further 80 engage in other projects and activities. A team
of over 130 volunteers enable this to operate.
What are the benefits?
There
is growing evidence of the detrimental effect that isolation and loneliness can
have on the health, well-being and life expectancy of people of all ages. The
model of The Link Visiting Scheme provides a crucial social point of contact
which, in itself, helps to build self-confidence and self-esteem and often
leads to improved mental health and independence. Consequently, older people
can gain improvements in their mobility and explore options to visit local
clubs, church activities and events leading to the establishment of a wider
circle of friends. The ‘Understanding Computers’ and ‘Pie and Pint Clubs’
provide opportunities for Link friends to engage in innovative and beneficial
activities enabling the development of new skills.
Volunteer visitors also gain from the
experience of sharing in the life of an older person from a different
generation leading to a greater understanding of life in earlier times.
Volunteers often report a sense of achievement and mutual benefit by having
contact with a member of the community who appreciates them.
Setting up new projects
Since 2012, the charity
has been responding to a sense that the model could be used in partnership with
churches in other areas across the country. This vision is now becoming a
reality with the support of The Cinnamon Network which has been providing
guidance and funding towards enabling the model to be replicated. The advantage
of the model is that it works well in both rural and urban settings and can be
set up with minimal resources. The primary need is for a team of Christians
with a heart for older people and an enthusiasm to work with various churches
and other agencies. A period of around 6 months is required to plan and prepare
for the launch of a local project. This process is supported and guided by
those with experience within The Link Visiting Scheme who make available all of
the operational documents, policies, training materials and other guidance.
Stories
Carol
- When we first met Carol she was quiet and
withdrawn. She felt nervous at the thought of being with people she didn’t know
and didn’t have the confidence to go outside on her own. She had a few health
worries and her son lived a distance away. She was spending many days alone and
speaking to no one. Like many of the older people we meet she was in desperate
need of seeing a friendly face - someone willing to spend some quality time
with her and show a real interest.
After meeting her we introduced her to
a volunteer who shared her love of gardening and wildlife. Some weeks they
would take a trip to a local garden centre and pot plants together. The simple
act of visiting began to transform her life and it didn’t take long to see the
results. Her volunteer encouraged her to join a local club doing gentle
exercise. We arranged for the library to visit regularly and deliver books for
her to read. We enrolled her in a club that took her out once a month on an
outing and she came to our monthly pub lunch. Her mobility improved too and she
began to take short walks in her neighbourhood and joined her local church!
Harry
- ‘The first twenty years of my marriage were
wonderful but then my wife became very depressed’. This was the story we heard
when we first met Harry. Supporting his wife for many years had left Harry
feeling down too. Cut off from friends and neighbours, he lacked motivation to
do simple jobs around the house. When we met him he felt overwhelmed with
feelings of isolation and was tired and anxious. He had regular visits from his
local psychiatric nurse and was on medication for his mood. His wife was living
in a nursing home and he felt exhausted with visiting her every night. He was nervous about meeting a volunteer. Now,
three years on, he no longer sees his nurse and is no longer prescribed his
medication. He really looks forward to
Saturday mornings when he goes out for coffee with his volunteer. We enrolled
him in a local transport scheme and lifts were arranged for him to visit his
wife. Having someone to listen to him was the turning point for Harry. He knew
that each week he would have that quality time with someone who seemed to
genuinely care and who chose to be there rather than being paid to be there.
Small worries and concerns were easily dealt with and no longer built up to
overwhelming issues. His motivation returned and so did his spark.
Sheila
(Volunteer) – Sheila started visiting in 2009 and
immediately realised that this was what she wanted to do. She had always cared
about older people and was concerned about their need to get out more. She
quickly realised that the regular visits made a significant impact in the life
of her ‘Link friend’ and this in turn enabled her to gain a sense of
satisfaction. Sheila explains ‘my role as a volunteer visitor has taught me a
lot about what older people have to offer. Once we get through the ‘small talk’
it is wonderful to be able to hear all about the wide experiences of my Link friend.
I do not find the visits at all boring – it is a blessing to spend time with
her.’ Sheila was moved to have been told by one of the friends she visits ‘you
have become the daughter that I never had’.
Quotes
‘Even
when I first met my volunteer I felt so much better. I felt someone cares for
me for a change!’
‘Everybody
says how much better I am, I’m enjoying myself’
‘I
no longer feel trapped inside my house. I feel like I’m living again’
‘When
my wife died after 63 years of marriage I felt completely lost. Meeting Sue
helped me find my feet again. It gave me something to look forward to each week
and she taught me how to cook a few simple meals too!’
‘She
says she doesn’t mind talking about the old days or looking at my photos. I
didn’t think younger people would be interested and it’s wonderful to make a
new friend even at my age!’
‘It’s
a life-line. Thank you’
For further details about
how to set up a befriending scheme in your area, please go to www.linkvisiting.org
Jim
Bailey is an ordained minister who works full time in Childrens
ministry – he has confirmed he will provide his ‘Jim Bailey Family Show’
for us. It is 1.5 hours long, great fun, using song, comedy, and
puppets. (