Older people’s charity, Independent Age, is in urgent need of enthusiastic people to sign up as volunteers and help older people feel less lonely.
The charity’s Friendship services have already helped thousands of older people who are lonely, and it is now looking to recruit more volunteers in Greater Manchester to build on this success.
One in five older people in the UK are in contact with friends, family and neighbours less than once a week, while for one in 10, it’s less than once a month.
In addition to this, around 40% of older people say the television is their main form of company. By joining the team and volunteering with Independent Age, Greater Manchester residents can help make a difference.
There are many different ways to volunteer with Independent Age, no matter how much time people can spare.
Volunteer opportunities are open to anyone over the age of 18 and to people of all backgrounds, with a recruitment process to ensure suitability for the role. Volunteers provide vital companionship for older people who are lonely, enabling them to feel more connected to their local community.
Right now in Greater Manchester, the charity is particularly keen for local people to apply to spend about an hour once a week or once a fortnight meeting up with an older person for a chat.
Jeanette Bates, Head of Wellbeing at Independent Age, adds, “Volunteers are invaluable to the older people that we support. We hear from so many volunteers and older people who have had their lives changed for the better by the experience. Chronic loneliness can be really damaging to a person’s health, so with the help of Greater Manchester residents, we hope to help make loneliness a thing of the past.”
To find out where volunteering opportunities are available to help end loneliness among older people, visit:www.independentage.org/volunteer-visitor or by calling 0800 319 6789.
