This summer has seen our team take on the delivery of two long established community services, now known as Community Connections Transport and Community Connections Befriending respectively. These were previously run by Voluntary Services Lewisham, one of our longest standing local partners, which closed its doors this year following 53 years of outstanding service to the community. Through both practical and emotional support, these services provide a lifeline to the many vulnerable Lewisham residents that we regularly come into contact with through our work; those facing a range of issues and barriers including loneliness, bereavement, mobility difficulties and mental health challenges.

It’s been an incredibly busy time for our newly formed Volunteer Led Services team, overseeing the transition of existing volunteers from VSL to Age UK, whilst also gathering feedback from volunteers and service-users alike to see how we can develop and improve each service. They’re now in the crucial stage of driving the recruitment of new volunteers in order to meet the high demand among vulnerable Lewisham residents. Our goal is to be able to take new client referrals from the beginning of 2023.