Case Study: The Link Visiting Scheme

3rd November 2024

For over 25 years, The Link Visiting Scheme has brought vital, life-enhancing social connections to older people and volunteers in Wokingham Borough. Their befriending service matches older people with volunteer befrienders for company or a friendly chat, or helps them to join group activities.

Their case study tells Violet’s story, and how her befriender Sam helped her feel more seen and valued.

Feeling excluded

Violet, 90, lives with multiple complex disabilities. When she was referred to The Link, she had minimal interaction beyond her husband and healthcare professionals, often feeling lonely.

Violet struggles with communication and processing information, often feeling excluded from conversations where people direct their attention to her husband instead of her.

Changing lives with friendship

Violet was matched with one of The Link’s volunteer befrienders, Sam. She now feels she “could not have asked for anyone better.”

Sam’s visits, where she focuses solely on Violet, have had a tremendously positive impact on Violet’s health. Violet says,

“Without her, I don’t know where I’d be. I look forward to seeing her so much; it’s the one thing I rely on.”

This friendship has significantly improved Violet’s quality of life.