Age Concern

Age Concern Southwark provide a range of services to those over 50 in Southwark. They have received support from two City Action volunteers which has contributed enormously to both the running of a range of centres and to the life of one of the more elderly clients.

Thanks to Scott Boyle, a volunteer web designer, who dedicated only a few days of his time, the organisation now has a fantastic new website.

Chris Lunn from Age Concern Southwark said:

‘Scott produced an excellent website which we can update and amend at our leisure. This is an excellent example of how we were able to work with someone’s spare time and skills to help further our mission.'

Joanna Burnaby-Atkins has been supporting an elderly lady called Ann. For health reasons Ann was no longer able to attend the day centre where she used to receive support and care from staff. Joanna now visits Ann regularly. She takes her to the centre where she meets her friends and takes part in activities and also takes her to the hairdressers, shopping and often stops for a cup of tea.

For Age Concern Southwark, the benefits are two-fold and very clear:

This support is not only of great benefit to Ann, but is also a great help to the centre staff. We don’t have the resources to promote a befriending scheme, however, Joanna's support has shown how we can address a clear need and assess how a good befriending model could work. Joanna’s ideas have allowed us to promote this type of volunteering to others.

Joanna greatly enjoys her time with Ann:

'My life is hectic and I rush about cramming as much into it as possible but I treasure the moments spent with Ann. I visit once a week which is the only time that she can leave her flat. I have to contribute such a small part of my life and to know what a huge difference this makes to hers is incredibly rewarding.'

I have to contribute such a small part of my life and to know what a difference it makes to Ann's is incredibly rewarding. Joanna Burnaby-Atkins