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Close Encounters

Close Encounters, our latest project, is designed to improve quality of life for lonely and isolated older people in Portsmouth, Gosport and the surrounding areas. 

Our dedicated team meet with the older person on a one-to-one basis, discuss their wants and needs and develop a plan to reduce the persons loneliness. This could be in a range of different ways such as providing information on friendship groups and social activities close by, and even accompanying the older person to these places for a short while.

If you or somebody you know may be lonely and/or socially isolated please get in contact with our team. The service is completely free of charge.

This project has been fully funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. 

national lottery community fund grant

Services offered 

Domestic and Practical Help

  • Provide a range of cleaning activities 
  • Collecting prescriptions and shopping 
  • Accompany a hospital or doctors visit 
  • Liase with external agencies on the service users behalf 
  • Pop in for a chat to alleviate social isolation and potential loneliness 

Information and Advice

Our Home Assistant Heroes can help the older veteran find services to assist with practical tasks both inside and outside of their home. Alternatively information and advice on a range of subjects can also be provided by our staff or volunteers.

Common subjects we have provided information and advice on are:

  • How to apply for a service medal or Veterans badge 
  • Mental health support
  • Undertaking benefits and entitlements checks including War and Armed Forces Pensions 
  • Helping find regimental associations to join 
  • Coping with bereavement 

Befriending and Socialisation

Our Home Assistant Heroes can refer the older veteran into Age UK Portsmouth's Joining Forces project. The project provides free befriending and socialisation support for lonely and/or isolated ex service men and women, and/or their spouses in Portsmouth. 

  • Who to contact in Portsmouth

    Age UK Portsmouth 
    The Bradbury Centre
    16-18 Kingston Road
    Portsmouth
    PO1 5RZ

    Telephone 023 9288 3522
    Email close.encounters@ageukportsmouth.org.uk

  • Who to contact in Gosport

    Gosport Voluntary Action 
    Martin Snape House 
    96 Pavilion Way 
    Gosport 
    PO12 1FG

    Telephone 023 9250 3871
    Email homeserveadmin@gva.org.uk