I am delighted to report that I have just made a new friend through Age Concern Essex. She is an elderly lady who is a bit isolated and lacks company during the day. I visit her once a week and we chat about all manner of subjects from engagements (William and Kate) to dogs.
This befriending service is so simple - it takes just an hour a week - yet my friend looks forward enormously to my visits and is so pleased to have someone to chat to. For more details of the Essex service see the Age Concern Essex website - there are also various groups around the country if you live outside Essex. http://www.ageconcernessex.co.uk/index.cfm?id=3788
Do give some thought as to whether you could spare some time for an elderly person. It could be in a lunch hour, at a weekend or evening if you work full-time. Age Concern will "match" you with the elderly person so that you have interests in common and plenty to talk about. I can honestly say that being a befriender is a very rewarding and enriching experience.
