22 July 2020
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Volunteering Matters' LifeLines project helps older people stay active and engaged with their communities. Right now, the charity is continuing this work through online activities thanks to support from players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Danyl Johnson, singer, and People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, joined a recent Sing Well session.
In Brighton, Volunteering Matters LifeLines project has a strong successful history of empowering individuals to volunteer and engage with older people.
As a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Volunteering Matters has developed a volunteer response programme to support community efforts in a coordinated, structured, safe and responsible way.
Volunteering Matters staff have innovated and creatively repurposed their approach to ensure older people can still safely enjoy precious social time and stay connected.
In Brighton, volunteers are now providing shopping support for weekly essentials and prescription collection; telephone befriending - regular volunteer befriending support providing a lifeline of contact for many who live on their own; group activities online/by telephone, including seated Pilates, quizzes, and singing sessions, creative writing, book reading, podcasts and regular ‘coffee mornings’ for a natter.
Emma Thomas Hancock, director of services, at Volunteering Matters, said: "Volunteering Matters has over fifty years’ experience of managing and delivering volunteer programmes that help local communities across the UK. Volunteers are playing a huge role in responding to the crisis.
"Since the start of lockdown the staff and volunteers at LifeLines have been doing everything they can to help and support older members of Brighton’s community to cope with the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis.
"We were delighted Danyl Johnson took the time to join in our Sing Well session. His support not only recognises the valuable role volunteers are playing to support the crisis, but also amplifies the importance and value our vital groups have for many isolated older people."
Over the last four years, thanks to £2.8 million raised by players, Volunteering Matters has reached tens of thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged older people in communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
In response to Covid-19, the support of players is helping Volunteering Matters to develop volunteering solutions, like partnering with Sing Well, and helping the charity to combat isolation, reduce inequality, and build thriving communities.