A service that helps people connect and build new friendships is proving to be a lifeline for our older and isolated residents.
The Silver Cord Befriending Service, a project that is part of the Hope Community Church in Mottram, Hyde was awarded over £40,000 in funding from Jigsaw Foundation and is proving to be a huge success.
Jigsaw Foundation is part of Jigsaw Homes Group and offers an exciting £500,000 fund to support local charities, resident and community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and partner agencies for which they can apply.
The free Silver Cord befriending service aims to tackle loneliness and isolation throughout Tameside by offering weekly one-hour home visits or calls to those in need of some company.
Through Jigsaw Foundation’s substantial funding, the church hopes to establish Silver Cord as a charity in its own right and extend its support further by setting up a voluntary workforce in other local churches.
The funding has also helped to cover the costs of staffing, marketing, travel, training and development for the project over the next 3 years.
In, the second year of Silver Cord, the service has seen 46 clients supported with 763 calls and 553 hours of volunteer time. 35 volunteers are actively helping to befriend the local community with seven more in the application process.
Throughout the pandemic, weekly quizzes were held to boost mental stimulation and Zoom phone-ins took place each Friday to give quiz answers and have a chat with residents.
Several socially distanced outdoor ‘Mobile Matinee’ events were also hosted and now that restrictions have eased, weekly ‘Monday Matinee Events’ now take place. These activities offer a fun way to create new friendships and boost the well-being of all participants.
Even Jigsaw Homes’ own residents from William Ford House and Shaw Street in Mottram have welcomed the befriending service.
Laura who now attends community groups weekly said: “The greatest gift is when people listen – not being told what to do. Just having someone when you’re stressed or ill, just having the chance to offload. Then you feel refreshed. The support from Silver Cord has been amazing.”
Referrals into the service can be made by emailing admin@silvercord.co.uk or calling 0333 772 1939.
You can also find out more about Jigsaw Foundation and how to apply here>>
