Community Network to expand their telephone befriending service
by Elizabeth Shaw (Social Inclusion Manager)
27 January 2012
In a world surrounded by smart phones and social networking, it is easy to think everyone in society is more connected than ever. However, many people in the UK are affected by the problem of social isolation, which occurs when someone’s day-to-day contact with other people diminishes.
Many factors can contribute to this: age, disability, rural location, long-term caring responsibilities, or the sudden death of a partner or spouse. Whatever the cause, the person affected is left feeling alone and vulnerable, which can lead to depression and a serious decline in physical health and well-being.
Community Network aims to help overcome feelings of isolation through connecting people, via telephone, with those in a similar situation. Community Network’s befriending groups consist of a weekly telephone call, with 6-8 other people, run by a trained group facilitator. The calls last for up to an hour, and cover a range of topics, all chosen by the participants. Right now Community Network would particularly like to hear from volunteers who have an interest in the history of Reading.
Community Network are looking to increase the number of telephone befriending groups for the elderly in the Reading area by recruiting and training new volunteer facilitators. The training, which is all done by telephone from the comfort of your home or office, can be completed in four sessions lasting an hour each.
John Simpson-Hutchinson, one of Community Network’s current volunteers from Reading, has been running a telephone friendship group for over a year now. He says of being a volunteer, “At first the thought of conversing with several complete strangers for an hour a week on the phone was daunting, but it wasn't long before the group became good friends".
Learn more at:
Community Network volunteering opportunity
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