Link Age Southwark – George: #BefriendingIs always asking me how I am and how I feel
26th September 2021
Link Age Southwark is a vibrant local charity providing friendly volunteer support to over 600 older people in Southwark who are feeling lonely or isolated.
They recruit, train and manage volunteers to deliver services to older people in the local community. These services reduce loneliness and isolation, improve older people’s quality of life, their physical and mental health, and enable older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
George was born in Saint Lucia and moved to London over 60 years ago. He has lived in Peckham for the past 21 years. George worked as a chef during this time and used to be a keen sportsman, playing cricket, tennis and football. Following a referral in 2019, George attended Link Age Southwark’s Men’s group where he enjoyed playing cards and dominoes. During the pandemic he was matched with Sara, a Link Age Southwark befriender.
Sara became a volunteer in April last year. She started with helping the charity to conduct their service user survey while waiting for a befriending match. Sara explains: “I suddenly had a lot of time being on furlough, so I wanted to give something back and have a little more purpose.”
George and Sara’s relationship has gone from strength to strength. Sara calls George weekly and she visited him at home, socially distanced, when restrictions allowed. Initially bonding over their love of food and travel, they often find themselves laughing during their conversations. George is full of praise for Sara: “She always asks me how I am, how I feel and we’re friends. We joke a lot, laughing all the time, she’s such a nice lady.”
Sara gets a lot out of the relationship too and from being a volunteer with Link Age Southwark. She says: “It makes me feel better knowing that I can cheer him up.”
By: Link Age Southwark
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