Independent charity Bridges has seen a large increase in residents accessing its telephone-befriending initiative since the coronavirus pandemic lockdown was announced.  Since the lockdown more people have struggled with loneliness and Bridges has helped to ease the feeling of isolation by expanding its Community Connections scheme. Such is the demand that the Monmouth-based charity has announced more than 130 new volunteers have been trained to support the service.

The Community Connections staff and the Bridges’ Volunteering for Wellbeing teams have worked together to deliver the service to more people than ever. Residents who would like to access this befriending service should call Community Connections on 01600 888481 or email: contact@befriendingmonmouthshire.org.uk

“We were befriending 14 people by phone prior to the crisis.  We now have in excess of 120 people receiving calls throughout the week.  The service is open to anyone who would benefit from a regular, friendly phone call each week,” explained Community Connections Team Lead, Vicki Pitt.

“We hope that, post-crisis, many of the relationships started during lockdown will continue to flourish and that people will be able to actually meet each other face-to-face if they wish to. The telephone befriending service will also continue as a well-established service in its own right.”

There is no doubt that these regular phone calls mean a great deal to those living alone:  Resident Mr P said: “This service has proved to be invaluable to my family during social distancing from my 92-year-old mum. She looks forward to her weekly phone call and it’s great for her to chat to someone outside the family. Thank you!” 

Telephone befriending was set up in 2018 as a short-term measure to support elderly people waiting to be matched with a face-to-face befriender. However, the service proved very popular and even when a befriender had been found, people wanted the phone calls to continue.

Councillor Penny Jones, Monmouthshire’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, Safeguarding and Health, said: “We are all grateful for the tremendous work undertaken by the volunteers at Bridges, which is making a real difference to so many Monmouthshire residents. The Community Connections scheme is an effective and unobtrusive means of providing people with company and is the perfect solution to social isolation during the pandemic. I hope that the friendships forged during these difficult times will offer support and last long after lockdown has ended.”

Bridges is an independent Monmouth-based charity, established in 1984, whose aim has always been to enhance the wellbeing of the local community. The base for its work since 2003 has been Drybridge House, an important part of Monmouth’s heritage. The charity was established to make a difference to the lives of older people, rurally isolated people, young adults with additional needs, people with mobility challenges and those who are economically disadvantaged.