Age UK East London is leading the provision of Connect Newham – a telephone befriending service for all adults over 18.

Volunteers and befrienders are matched in a scheme that aims to prevent loneliness and isolation.

One such couple is Lisa McLean, a volunteer befriender, and David Pocock.

Lisa has an exacting job with the Financial Ombudsman Service. She was referred to Connect Newham by the East London Business Alliance.

Lisa is happy that she and David have ‘hit it off’, and says she looks forward to each session. They talk together freely on a wide range of topics, from how their weeks have been to what was in the news. Frequently they talk for more than an hour.

She is particularly pleased that David will be applying to become a volunteer himself, and that she might have contributed to his growth in confidence.

David was referred by his support workers at care charity Look Ahead and by social services. He had suffered a mental breakdown after a relationship break up.

David agreed with Lisa, saying that talking to her had brought something important into his life. As a Tottenham Hotspur supporter, he was pleasantly surprised that Lisa has a massive knowledge of football.

Having worked as a support worker before his relationship breakdown, David is looking forward to becoming a chat volunteer.

If you would like to be put in touch with a befriender or are interested in volunteering please email: contact@connectnewham.org.uk

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