Volunteering Feature : Re-engage
Making Social Connections
Have you noticed that there is constant talk about wellbeing, in these times. Much of this is about looking after your health – finding time for hobbies, keeping a healthy mind and body. But did you know that social connections are a really important part of looking after your mental and physical health?
We are social animals – you only have to listen to the stories of new friendships that were made by those who were waiting in line to pay respects to the Queen at her lying-in-state to realise the value that people place on their interactions with others.
Unfortunately, there are many life events or circumstances that can shrink your connections with other people. Maybe you recently retired, or lost a job? Perhaps you have been bereaved or have become an unpaid carer for someone you love? You may have recently moved home or been isolated through a health condition? Whatever the reason, It can happen to anyone through no fault of their own.
The World Health Organization states that
“Social isolation and loneliness are important, but often neglected, social determinants of health across all ages, including for older people. High-quality social connections are essential to our mental and physical health and our well-being.”
People without social connections often feel lonely and have a poorer quality of life which can also result in a shorter life.
Whatever your age, social isolation may be affecting you and volunteering could be a big part of the answer to solving this problem. So this month, we have sought out opportunities that might help anyone who wants to make new contacts with people and is happy to offer help along the way through volunteering to undertake specific tasks.
Re-engage is a charity that is positive about older age and committed to fighting loneliness so that people can have social lives and friendship groups however old they are. We inspire and enable meaningful connections and shared experiences within communities across the UK for people over 75 facing loneliness and social isolation.
Our volunteer led tea parties are held one Sunday a month with a host providing their home, sandwiches, tea and cake while volunteer drivers take the guests to and from the venue. They also help generations to mix, with some hosts involving their children and pets.
Since the Covid regulations were ended in February, 800 older people have applied for the first time to join these social gatherings which often provide the only opportunity for them to spend time with others.
We have a number of tea party groups in Bedfordshire that are running again after a difficult few years, when groups weren’t able to meet in person because of Covid restrictions. Today we are looking for new volunteer drivers, hosts and group coordinators to join these groups.
Re-engage tea parties have positive benefits for our volunteers as well as the guests. Paula, a tea party coordinator in Bedfordshire, told us recently:
“Getting the generations together means a lot – our guests love hearing about what the younger volunteers are up to and I know our volunteers get a lot out of being part of the group as well. One of my drivers had a baby and the group just loved meeting the ‘group grandchild’ – watching the relationships develop is one of my favourite parts of being a volunteer.”
You can read more about Paula’s experience as a volunteer on the Re-engage website.
Call companions, our telephone befriending service, is available to anyone aged 75 and over who would benefit from a regular chat over the phone with a friendly volunteer.
Take a look at the video below to see more about the wonderful work that Re-engage do.
If you would like to volunteer to be part of a tea party group or as a call companion, you can do so here.
Remember, if you take on a volunteering position and it is not working out for you, or you are not getting the pleasing and meaningful interactions with others that you expected, you can always try something different. If you need support from us at CVS, one of our advisors will talk to you about what might suit you better.
Take a look at our current opportunities that we think you might enjoy if you want to volunteer somewhere where you can meet and get to know others and gain new friendships.
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If you are lonely and need additional support, you can find help at:
The Red Cross Help line on 0808196, or visit their website here
The Samaritans – call 116123
Your GP surgery may run a Social prescribing service with is free and available to adults who are experiencing isolation, lifestyle or other underlying issues. A BRCC Community Wellbeing Champion will help you to join local services if you live in Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire – use their referral form to make contact or your surgery may have an independent arrangement for a similar service.
Luton has a link worker supporting every GP surgery. They can offer non-medical support to people who may be lonely or isolated. You can make contact through Total Wellbeing – call 0300 555 4152 or email info@totalwellbeingluton.org.
