Being a community worker in the North West of Edinburgh I have had the pleasure to meet different older people who are looking to connect with their local community.
One of my most stand out memories was meeting this gentleman who was very isolated. He was in contact with one family member and, due to being a main carer, had become lost in how to meet and make friends after so long. The simple signposting on a local community church group and organising befriending for this person has drastically changed his life.
Prior to our conversation he had said how lonely and lost he had become. This changed through the voluntary sector. Linking him into two other local voluntary organisations “gave him something to smile about again.” This story stands out to me because he had so little and felt so low and the voluntary sector gave him hope and something to look forward to again.
Name: Anonymous
Organisation: Health in Mind
Job Title: Community Worker