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Case Study from Community Catalyst, July 2023

“ I am 78 years old and live alone In Worcester. Before Covid I used to go to different clubs nearby, but they all shut during lockdown and have not started again. I had been stuck at home because I have a few issues with my health. I had become lonely, depressed, anxious and I did not go anywhere, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was even talking to the television for company.

I know Gary as he used to work with my daughter at the local surgery. He had helped me with a few things in his old job, so when I heard he was visiting people to be friends with them I thought he would be ideal to help me. He is so calm, and I trust him, I can tell him anything. He is not like a carer. He is like a friend (I don’t say befriending, because it sounds like he is my boyfriend!)

Gary has helped me get out of the flat again. We have been to the Next café, to the Warndon Hub and to the garden centre where I bought some shoes. We have a laugh together.

Because I am happy again now, I have started going out again on my own. I might even have overdone it a bit, but I have been to Sainsburys on the bus and to Age UK in town. I have been back to Kingdom Hall where I can see my many friends and I even went to town for a work reunion and saw eight of my old friends. I was part of the ‘A’ Team, and it was lovely to see my work friends again.

If anyone asks me about Gary, if they should get him to visit them, I would say ‘Tell him YES PLEASE, most definitely.’ He is just the person you need when you are lonely. He listens and does not judge. He is a nice, genuine guy. “

Dictated to Launa at Community Catalyst by a person supported by the community micro-enterprise, Friendly Befriending. 

If you have a person in Worcester, experiencing social isolation or weak links with their community, please consider arranging a direct payment to purchase support time from Friendly Befriending or a similar service

Friendly Befriending has been helped by Community Catalyst to set up as a community micro-enterprise Community Micro-enterprises

They have completed the ‘Doing it right’ standards and have the necessary insurances, policies, and training to run a care and support business.