Dementia, Grants to charities, Later life
London Freemasons support older people with dementia
Beneficiaries of Link Age Southwark at the Wednesday social group
More than 250 older people will receive support to make friends and become part of their communities, thanks to a grant of £60,000 from London Freemasons to the Link Age Southwark charity.
The project aims to find connections and friends for older people and those living with dementia in the community, which will reduce loneliness and social isolation, improve health and wellbeing and support people to live independently in their own homes.
One of Link Age Southwark’s main projects is its befriending service, which matches over a hundred older people and those with dementia every year with volunteers who are looking for friends or local connections. Time is put into creating the best matches, with most relationships lasting between five and ten years.
We’re extremely grateful to London Freemasons for their generous grant which will help to address the isolation that older people, especially those living with dementia, so often experience. Helping people to make connections and friendships can make a huge difference to their health and wellbeing.
The average age of beneficiaries is 81, and they generally live alone and lack local family connections or social networks. Their age often means that they can have many complex health needs as well as coping with the difficulties of living independently. Over 30 per cent are from UK minority ethnic communities, which is reflective of the diversity of the borough in which the charity operates.
Older people can be referred to the free service by GPs, family members, health professionals and local partner organisations. Volunteer befrienders will visit beneficiaries in their home or make contact via telephone on a weekly basis and will encourage beneficiaries to attend outings in the community and take part in activities.
I’m delighted we’ve been able to help Link Age Southwark with their wonderful programme to encourage older people to socialise and improve their health and independence. The pandemic left many older people isolated and lonely, so we’re really pleased that charities like Link Age Southwark are here to support them after a particularly difficult few years.
