Today we proudly launch ‘Lewisham Against Loneliness’, an ambitious new campaign aimed at tackling loneliness and social isolation across the borough.
The campaign, which runs until the end of February, will raise awareness about the different forms that loneliness can take, its various causes, and the many ways it negatively impacts a person’s health. At the same time we will be celebrating the positive impact of volunteer-led Befriending as a means of tackling and overcoming this growing problem.
‘We’ve never met but she’s honestly one of my best friends!’ – John, Befriendee (about his befriender Janet)
Our own service Community Connections Befriending, which we took over from Voluntary Services Lewisham last summer, has successfully been matching volunteers with residents experiencing loneliness for the past 50 years. Yet it is now in urgent need of funding if it is to be sustained throughout 2024. As part of our campaign we have set ourselves a target of £3,000, which we’re hoping to smash through a series of winter fundraising activities and our Just Giving donation page.
Over the past year our volunteer-led services team have recruited and trained over a hundred local volunteers to act as Befrienders to some of Lewisham’s loneliest and most vulnerable residents. Thanks to our brilliant, dedicated volunteers, 84 residents (‘befriendees’) have now been matched, enjoying a weekly phone call and/or meet up with their befriender to chat about anything and everything!
Stay tuned for more news, including inspiring stories, weekly challenges, and fundraising updates!
WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN:
DONATE to our Befriending service at our Loneliness Campaign Just Giving page.
VOLUNTEER – Can you spare 1-2 hours a week to provide company to a lonely resident? Find out what it involves and apply to volunteer HERE.
FOLLOW our social media campaign to receive updates and spread the word. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter X
01/12/2023