Combat Loneliness with our Community Visitor Scheme February 24, 2022February 24, 2022 by admin We’re so excited to introduce our Community Visitor Scheme program. We know that isolation and loneliness are huge problems, especially in the elderly years. This is something we feel we can really make a difference with. Let’s face it, we’re all a phone call away from our nearest and dearest. But how many of us actually take the time to listen to each other? How does the Community Visitor Scheme work? The community visitor scheme is to ensure that older people in the community stay connected and engaged. This can help combat loneliness, isolation, and depression. Participants and volunteers are carefully matched to ensure that they are paired together correctly. Compatibility, shared interests, and culture are found in terms of this match. The volunteer will spend time with the participant doing various activities during a time allocated. Most enjoy just sitting and chatting. Most form amazing friendships and create such natural bonds with each other. Why do we need it? This program is so important because it not only brings people together but it’s also so beneficial. Especially to those that have little contact with friends or relatives. Isolation/loneliness is a real issue in the older demographic, especially in nursing homes. While staff do their best to spend time with residents, seeing everyone can be difficult. And unfortunately, not everyone interacts with each other – causing some people to become disconnected. By including one-on-one time with someone, building a relationship and having common interests can really help someone mentally and physically. Just a few hours of your time can greatly attribute to someone’s happiness. We think that’s a pretty great thing! Another reason people may need the community visitor scheme is that they feel a disconnect from their culture or heritage. Our team work hard to pair them up with someone with similar heritage and interests so they have that connection. It’s so important that people have that tie to their heritage as it’s a big part of someone’s identity. How can you get involved? If you would like to get involved with our Community Visitor Scheme, please click here to read more and to put down your interest to volunteer. We appreciate all of our volunteers that give up their time for others. Participants visited say that they feel so much better after the visit. Because someone took time out of their day to listen to them. It really can be as simple as just listening and taking time out of your day to improve someone else’s. We think this is such a simple way to make a real difference in someone’s life, both today and tomorrow. The biggest takeaway from this is that life gets busy, but don’t forget about your loved ones!
