Speak to most over 50s these days and we’ll let you know that we don’t consider ourselves old at all!
We are interested in the world around us, have more time to get involved with our communities and the activities that interest us, and are generally getting fitter and healthier all the time.
However, chuck in a few variables that we cannot control, and this sense of wellbeing can diminish. Growing older, sickness, falls, dementia related illness, bereavement, isolation, depression, difficulty getting out of our homes and family and friends moving away – all of a sudden life becomes a lot more difficult.
Elder Tree was founded in 1994 by Irene Tonkin to support older people living in the East End of Plymouth. Since then it has expanded considerably and was commissioned by Plymouth City Council in 2013 to deliver a Befriending Service across the city. This has been so successful that Elder Tree won the ‘Our Partner Star Award’ at the city council’s annual staff awards ceremony.
The council’s website reported:
“They are a solid partner providing an outstanding service to customers and helping to achieve many health and social care outcomes whilst fulfilling the Caring Plymouth aims.”
Elder Tree have been celebrating their 25th anniversary with a variety of events, including a barn dance at Plymouth Guildhall and a special get-together for volunteers at the National Marine Aquarium.
Referrals to Elder Tree come from statutory and voluntary sector groups, including GPs and from individuals; referral forms can be downloaded from their website, sent out by post, or you can self-refer by phoning in. There are now over 1150 people that benefit from the support of 125 amazing volunteers and 16 members of staff.
When an individual is referred, the first strategy is to assist them to get out of the house and attend one of the 70 weekly activities in 44 separate locations across Plymouth. Local groups mean less travelling.
Activities are offered at either minimal or no cost and include weekly lunch and supper clubs, groups specifically for older men (there is a weekly visit to Argyle focussed on sporting memories, complete with pink sports pages and spot the ball), quizzes, craft groups, choirs, computer classes, reminiscence sessions, and subsidised group visits to the theatre.
The Active Steps programme delivers ‘lycra free’ exercise and movement for everyone – its very popular seated classes work for those less mobile, and there are other opportunities for those more physically fit to show off their moves. Classes include Tai Chi, Pilates and a Cardio Recovery Class, with 750 people taking part in at least one hour of exercise each week.
When going out is no longer possible, Elder Tree have a one to one volunteer befriending scheme which currently supports 70 beneficiaries to be able to remain independent in their own homes.
Elder Tree has been busy recruiting volunteers, increasing their number from 70 to 125 in the last year.
Plymouth City Council are the charity’s chief funder, but the other 35% of money to keep the project going needs to be raised by the team through bid writing and charitable donations.
Robbie Nairn, Elder Tree’s chief executive, explained that the charity’s finances will never be fully covered by contributions from its beneficiaries but is passionate that this does not dictate the quality and accessibility of service his team provides.
Low cost local provision close to where beneficiaries live is vital, as well as high class training and support for volunteers.
One to one befrienders are contacted every week by a volunteer co-ordinator to make sure any concerns are passed on, and that additional support is accessed promptly if needed.
There are around 60 new referrals each month, and Elder Tree has been busy recruiting volunteers, increasing their number from 70 to 125 in the last year. They are still in need of many more, as volunteers are the heartbeat and soul of the charity, serving as trustees, befrienders, cooks and activity enablers.
Enquiries are welcome from individuals and organisations keen to make a significant impact to the lives of older people living in Plymouth.
Recently five Livewell employees have been able to offer time to visit at weekends, often a lonely time for those living on their own far from family members.
Robbie himself visits Gordon regularly, who at over 90 years old is one of the last surviving men who sailed with the Merchant Navy Arctic Convoys and also brought vital supplies to Britain during the Second World War.
He has some amazing stories and Robbie is not sure who benefits more from these visits, himself or Gordon!
If you would like to get in touch to see if volunteering is right for you, on behalf of a location interested in hosting a group, or to refer someone to the service, please contact Elder Tree on 01752 227447, admin@eldertreebefriending.co.uk or visit their website, www.eldertreeplymouth.co.uk
Story by Karen Pilkington
