Enabling Connections
- Location: Age UK Wyvern
- Price: Free
Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Wyvern - Head Office's catchment area.
Email: laura.simnett@ageukwyvern.org
Telephone: 0333 0066 299
Helping older people stay connected, confident and independent.
As we get older, staying socially connected and involved in our local community can play an important role in maintaining our wellbeing, confidence and independence.
At Age UK Wyvern, our Enabling Connections service supports older people who may be experiencing loneliness, isolation or a loss of confidence to reconnect with people, activities and their local community.
We understand that taking the first step can sometimes feel difficult. Our friendly and supportive service works with you to identify what matters to you and what you would like to achieve. We can then help you take practical steps towards becoming more connected and confident in your everyday life.
Enabling Connections is a time-limited, goal-focused service. Rather than providing ongoing befriending, we work alongside you to help you develop connections and routines that can continue beyond our support.
How can Enabling Connections help?
Everyone is different, so the support we offer will be based around your interests, needs and goals. We can help you to:
• Meet new people and develop social connections
• Reconnect with activities or interests you have enjoyed in the past
• Explore local groups, clubs and activities in your community
• Build confidence to get involved and try something new
• Take the first steps towards attending a group or activity
• Develop routines and connections that support your wellbeing
• Identify opportunities to volunteer or contribute to your community
• Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Work towards personal goals that help you feel more independent, confident and connected
Support might include talking through what you would like to change, exploring opportunities in your local area, helping you overcome barriers and, where appropriate, providing some one-to-one support while you take those first steps.
Your goals, your choices
Enabling Connections starts with you.
We will take time to understand what is important to you and what you would like to achieve. Together, we will agree some realistic goals and identify the steps that could help you reach them.
This might be something as simple as:
• “I'd like to get out of the house more.”
• “I'd like to meet people with similar interests.”
• “I'd like to feel confident enough to go to a local group.”
• “I'd like to reconnect with an activity I used to enjoy.”
We will support you to take those steps at your own pace.
Building connections that last
Our aim is not simply to provide regular contact. We want to help you develop lasting connections, confidence and independence so that you can continue to enjoy social opportunities and feel part of your community.
When your goals have been achieved and you feel ready to move forward independently, our support will come to an end. We can help you identify other sources of ongoing support, activities and community connections where appropriate.
Take the first step
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from support to become more connected, confident and involved in the community, Enabling Connections could help.
Contact Laura at Age UK Wyvern to find out more about the service and whether it is right for you. You can also click the link below, to view the services eligibility criteria.
• 0333 0066 299
• laura.simnett@ageukwyvern.org
Click to view eligibility criteria
Volunteering with Enabling Connections
Would you like to make a real difference to an older person's life?
As an Enabling Connections Befriending Volunteer, you will be matched with an older person and provide regular, face-to-face support for up to six months.
You will spend time together each week, building a positive and supportive relationship while helping your match work towards their personal goals. This could be anything from getting back out into the community, trying a new activity, meeting new people or rebuilding confidence after a period of change.
If you think this could be the volunteering opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you.