A NEW charity initiative aimed at combatting loneliness in older people has been set up in partnership with Age Concern.
Be My Friend was started by Samantha Rawlinson, and aims to bring people with similar interests together across the Island.
The initiative works like a matching service so that people can connect over things they like, such as physical activities, TV programmes or even going to the pub.
Having previously worked in care homes before starting a career in policing, where she now works as a coroner’s officer, Ms Rawlinson, who is “passionate about old people”, got in touch with Age Concern as she wanted to do something in Jersey to encourage friendship and combat social isolation.
Initially inspired by the UK’s national scheme, Adopt a Grandparent, Ms Rawlinson wanted more of a personal touch.
“The UK one is mainly online-based with Facetime calls, so I thought it would be better to set up a more face-to-face version and get people out and about,” she said, “whether that is taking an older lady for a cup of tea or an older gentleman, who tend to be more insular, to the pub for a pint or to watch the football. That’s what this is about.
“Or, we could match someone up with somebody who loves Coronation Street and then they could have a ten-minute phone call about every episode.”
She said: “It’s about fitting people together who have different likes and dislikes and they can decide on their own activities.
“We’ll be the matching service basically, not just throwing people together but being more specific [for people’s needs].”
Explaining the motivations behind her new charity, Ms Rawlinson said she has always been “very passionate” about the older generations.
“I have to keep in touch with my grandparents [who live in the UK] and so I’m really mindful of how loneliness affects the older community.
“Especially having worked in care homes and assisted those who have lost loved ones late in life and have no other family, I feel like I can relate to them.”
Be My Friend is aimed at the older and retired communities, but anyone who may need extra social integration can also get involved: “You could have someone in their fifties and lonely who would benefit from the service.
“We are not putting any age limit on this at all, it is aimed at the older community, but I think it should help as many people as possible.”
As the charity is in its early stages, they hope to launch with a group of volunteers and beneficiaries of the service, and slowly start to organise regular events such as afternoon teas.
Working in affiliation with Age Concern, the initiative will also be supported by St John Ambulance and their “buddy system”, Ms Rawlinson explained.
Ben Shenton, chair of Age Concern, called it a “marvellous initiative”.
He said: “We were delighted when Samantha contacted us because we are well aware of the growing problem of loneliness on the Island.Especially with the number of children who are forced to move away to have an affordable life.
“We are fully supportive of this new charity and will be doing everything to help her.”
The charity is also actively looking for volunteers, who can be any age or from any background, but would need to commit to weekly or fortnightly time with their matched person.
“Once we’re a bit more settled we will look to see what venues will help us host events and get as many people together to interact with each other,” said Ms Rawlinson.
Anybody interested in volunteering or using the service can find out more information here.
