Building Friendships, Tackling Loneliness: How Dunelm’s Community Fund Is Making a Difference Across Northumberland

Building Friendships, Tackling Loneliness: How Dunelm’s Community Fund Is Making a Difference Across Northumberland

Age UK Northumberland is celebrating the impact that funding from Dunelm’s Community Fund is making to older people across the county.

The funding from specialist UK retailer of homewares and furniture, Dunelm has enabled Age UK Northumberland to continue and develop its Friendship Groups service, providing older people with opportunities to meet others, build friendships and access valuable support within their local community.

For many older people, social isolation and loneliness can have a significant impact on their wellbeing. The groups provide much more than simply a place to meet. They offer a welcoming and friendly environment where people can feel a sense of belonging, develop new friendships, and take part in activities they enjoy.

The support provided through Age UK Northumberland can make a real difference to an older person’s day-to-day life. For someone who may otherwise spend much of their time alone, having a regular meet up and the opportunity to make new friends can provide a vital sense of routine, purpose and social connection.

Age UK Northumberland supported 7,252 clients within their 14 weekly Friendship Groups during 2025-2026, with 304 members attending regularly. The groups offer people the opportunity to have a cuppa, enjoy a chat and spend time with their peers. Activities vary from week to week and include board games, arts and crafts, gardening, music, lunches, visits from local organisations, information and advice and scams awareness sessions and an access point to Age UK Northumberland's range of support services. People can get involved as much or as little as they wish - whether that means joining in with an activity or simply sitting down with a cup of tea. Ultimately, these groups demonstrate that sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference.

The groups play an important role in tackling loneliness and social isolation, which can have a significant impact on an older person’s confidence and wellbeing. They provide a regular reason to leave the house, meet familiar faces and develop new friendships, helping people to feel connected to their community.

The impact reaches far beyond simply providing somewhere to go. They bring people together locally, facilitate new friendships, and create opportunities for older residents to remain active and involved in community life.

Joan, aged 95, arrived at Age UK Northumberland late in 2025, after moving to the North East a few years ago. Her world felt small, lonely, and uncertain. She struggled with isolation and the invisible weight of everyday worries, leading her to suffer from daily panic attacks. Joan began attending Age UK Northumberland’s Seaton Delaval and Blyth Friendship Groups, and also joined the charity’s Veterans Support Groups; as she had served in the military in her early life. After several conversations with staff and volunteers, it became clear that Joan also needed practical support. She agreed to chat with our Information & Advice team, who provide free advice on income, benefits, housing, legal affairs and more.

For Joan, it was clear to see how a visit to one of Age UK Northumberland’s Friendship Groups opened up so many other avenues of support. Joan described her visit to Age UK Northumberland as “finding solid ground under shaky feet” and said “My life feels brighter now, coming to Age UK Northumberland has given me friendship. The people here didn’t just welcome me – they believed in me. This support has given me peace and a future I can look forward to”.

The funding from Dunelm’s Community Fund supported the running costs of Age UK Northumberland's regular social group sessions that run across the county.

Amy Whyte, CEO of Age UK Northumberland said, “We are extremely grateful for the support that Dunelm has provided through the Community Fund. This funding is helping us to provide much more than a social activity - it is helping older people build friendships, maintain their independence and feel connected to their local community.

For many of the people we support, having somewhere friendly and welcoming to go each week can make a huge difference. We see first-hand the confidence that people gain, the friendships that develop, and the positive impact that being part of a group can have on their wellbeing".

The Community Fund is part of Dunelm’s commitment to supporting communities across the UK. Through its partnership with Age UK, Dunelm is helping local Age UK partners deliver services and activities that respond to the needs of older people in their communities.