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Close Encounters

In October 2022, Age UK Portsmouth and Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA) were awarded funding from the National Lottery’s Community Fund to help reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people.

The four-year continuation project, named Close Encounters, aims to improve people’s access to community support through companionship, information, advice and advocacy services. Bringing local people together, the charities will enable participants to become more active within their community. The impact of the project will be evaluated by the University of Portsmouth. The project is also supported by local charity, Age Concern Gosport.

Given the increasing demand for such services, Age UK Portsmouth and Gosport Voluntary Action are calling for local residents of Gosport Borough and Portsmouth to offer their time as either a Befriending Volunteer, or as a Volunteer Advocate, to help tackle the challenge of loneliness amongst our elderly and vulnerable population.

Alex Massey, Project Manager at Age UK Portsmouth and Dawn Ward, Wellbeing & Welfare Manager at Gosport Voluntary Action, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from The National Lottery to provide this service in Portsmouth, Gosport and the surrounding areas.”

Alex and Dawn added: “Loneliness can negatively affect health and wellbeing, as much as smoking or obesity and puts a strain on local health services. We are working to make a positive difference to older people’s wellbeing. However, with a growing waiting list of older people seeking support – many of whom live alone and have extremely limited social contact – we are now in urgent need of more volunteers. By offering just one hour a week on a regular, long-term basis, you could make a real difference. Please do get in touch if you can help.

The project is divided into four independent strands; befriending, facilitated support, advocacy, and information provision. Combining each strand into one collaborative project, Age UK Portsmouth and Gosport Voluntary Action aim to integrate older people back into their communities.

People who are housebound and/or very lonely, but want to continue living independently at home, could be offered befriending opportunities, such as having a one-to-one visitor once a week and, in time, can choose to attend a social group, in which they can meet other befriendees within their community. To reach more people struggling with loneliness, Age UK Portsmouth and Gosport Voluntary Action are calling on volunteers to offer their support if they can.

Information, advice and advocacy on a range of subjects can also be offered to older people, from money and matters to welfare benefits and entitlements.

The project is now taking referrals directly via telephone, either to Age UK Portsmouth on 023 9288 3522, or to Gosport Voluntary Action on 023 9260 4686 / laura.drew@gva.org.uk 

For more details about how to become a Volunteer Befriender or Advocacy volunteer, please visit the Age UK Portsmouth and GVA websites. To volunteer in Gosport Borough with Gosport Voluntary Action, please see:

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