Ashford Volunteer Centre

For some 30 years Ashford Volunteer Centre has been supporting people aged over 50 who have become lonely and isolated due to old age, ill health, disability, mental distress or bereavement. Thanks to a team of volunteers, many people in the community receive a weekly visit in their home to help alleviate their loneliness. The service operates throughout the borough and as there's a continual need for the service we prioritise referrals from people who are housebound, live alone, who do not receive regular visits from friends or relatives and do not regularly use day care services. We also provide telephone befriending and letter writing.

Information for volunteers

Befriending is a distinct type of support which is different from the practical or functional day-to-day support provided by carers, cleaners or meal delivery drivers, who have professional obligations. Your most valuable contribution is your time: giving an hour or so each week to listening, chatting, doing a jigsaw or sharing news and interests. The person you are matched with will know you're visiting them because you care and because you enjoy their company. This can really help boost their self-esteem as well as give them something to look forward to each week. As well as providing conversation and companionship, you might also like to take a short walk together, or help build their confidence to join a community group or day club. We also provide befriending services by phone and post, which provides even greater flexibility for volunteers.

Contact

Rose Holmes
Ashford Volunteer Centre
Berwick House
8 Elwick Road
Kent
TN23 1PF

Themes

Age Groups