Connecting Veterans: Befriending project to combat isolation and loneliness
Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire received £9,623 under the Force for Change programme for their ‘Happy at Home’ befriending project. The project supports older Veterans experiencing loneliness or isolation living in the Northampton area.
The mission of ‘Happy at Home’ is to make a meaningful impact by addressing the issues of loneliness and isolation among older individuals. The project seeks to reach a wide audience, offering valuable information on local services that facilitate reconnection with their communities.
Veterans helping Veterans
The project enlisted ex-Service personnel as befrienders, with a focus on providing companionship and support to elderly Veterans, ensuring they have a friend to engage in meaningful conversations with.
‘Happy at Home’ reached out to several Veteran organisations to advertise and promote the befriending service. Development Manager, Becky Thornton, explained: “The volunteers are a diverse group of individuals who bring valuable skills and knowledge, along with life experiences, to their volunteering roles. To ensure volunteers are suitably equipped for their roles, they undergo the appropriate induction and training before commencing their volunteering.”
The project enlisted ex-Service personnel as befrienders, with a focus on providing companionship and support to elderly Veterans, ensuring they have a friend to engage in meaningful conversations with.
‘Happy at Home’ reached out to several Veteran organisations to advertise and promote the befriending service. Development Manager, Becky Thornton, explained: “The volunteers are a diverse group of individuals who bring valuable skills and knowledge, along with life experiences, to their volunteering roles. To ensure volunteers are suitably equipped for their roles, they undergo the appropriate induction and training before commencing their volunteering.”
Boosting interaction
In addition to the befriending service, the organisation wanted to establish a support group for clients who are both able and eager to expand their social connections and integrate further into the community. To achieve this, they introduced engaging initiatives such as coffee mornings in collaboration with local organisations. They organised special events such as Christmas parties and jubilee celebrations, providing Veterans with opportunities for meaningful social interactions and community integration.
Support at home
While some ex-Service individuals enjoy the opportunity to socialise and reconnect with fellow Veterans, ‘Happy at Home’ recognises that this option may not be accessible to everyone. Health, mobility and frailty can constrain many Veterans, compelling them to stay at home. This highlights the importance of the home befriending service, ensuring those facing physical limitations still receive vital companionship and support.
The feedback from one service user simply said: “it makes me feel part of the world again”, showing the impact that social interaction through conversation has on the elderly Veteran community.
Combatting loneliness
Volunteer Helen organised a community support group. She visits RAF Veteran John, who is unable to go out and socialise without the help of someone to support him. Helen said:
“I look forward to seeing John, and love hearing his stories – he’s done so much in his life, and yet is so humble. It gives me a sense of purpose, something I don’t get from work. Plus, he has such a sense of fun, we have a good laugh together!”
Future sustainability
Speaking with the future of the project in mind, Becky Thornton explained: “We have set up a group which has now become self-sustainable (Duston Lunch Club) where these Veterans chat, play chess and enjoy each other’s company over a light lunch. Our Duston lunch club is still going strong and solid friendships have been made.
“Throughout this project, we have been fortunate to witness the beginnings of new friendships. We’ve observed the unique bond shared by volunteer Veterans and resident Veterans as they’ve exchanged their experiences and memories of serving in the Armed Forces. The immediate sense of camaraderie was evident when introducing strangers for the first time. This was quite special to behold and made the introductions so much easier!”