Tea, Time, and Togetherness – This Year’s Tackling Loneliness Campaign
Care and Companionship at Christmas Time
Last winter, our office team, Care Workers, and Abbots Friends volunteers came together to deliver over 100 hours of free companionship care to people in the community. The campaign had a wonderful impact not only on the people we supported but also on our volunteers and staff, reflecting a project with a mutual benefit that brought people together at a time when loneliness can often have the strongest impact.
This year, we are proud to continue the project, and this year’s theme is Tea, Time, and Togetherness.
We know the difference that even one hour of company can bring, and we want to reach even more people who may benefit from a friendly conversation and a little extra support.
How Our Volunteers Benefit From Delivering Companionship
It’s not just our clients who benefit from companionship but the volunteers too. Research from the National Survey of Volunteer Experience has shown that:
- Enjoyment ranks highest among a range of benefits that volunteers feel they get out of volunteering.
- 90% of volunteers feel they make a difference to an individual’s life or a particular group of society.
- And over 75% of volunteers say that their volunteering improves their mental health and wellbeing.
Here are just some of the things our volunteers said about last year’s Tackling Loneliness campaign:
Abbots Care and Abbots Friends – More than personal care
Abbots Friends is our not-for-profit sister branch that provides companionship and social opportunities to clients across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Dorset.
Through Abbots Friends, we have created safe, welcoming spaces for people to connect, including regular tea parties that bring clients together for conversation, community, food and games. These gatherings have become treasured events that help reduce isolation and build confidence among those who attend.
Below, you will find highlights from last year’s tea parties and companionship visits, showcasing the real power of spending time together.
Bringing Warmth To This Year’s Campaign
This year, we are excited to partner with Bird and Blend tea to add an extra touch of warmth to our Tea, Time, and Togetherness campaign. They have kindly provided us with 200 cuppas for our clients and volunteers to enjoy because we all know the best conversations happen over a warm brew!
Volunteer with us
We are always looking for volunteers to join Abbots Friends. New volunteers complete a DBS check and undergo some basic training so they feel comfortable and confident delivering companionship in the community.
Interested in supporting people in the community? Contact enquiries@abbotsfriends.com to find out more.
