Over 50 with time and energy to spare? Let us help you involve your community and get active!

What is LifeLines?

LifeLines is an exciting volunteer-led project which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of isolated and vulnerable older people.

We are recruiting a team of volunteers aged 50 +, to lead and run projects and activities which will enable older people to become more active and involved in their community.

Currently, LifeLines’ work is focussed on the Queens Park, Tarner and Craven Vale areas of Brighton, which are known to have a high concentration of isolated and vulnerable older people.

LifeLines is managed by Age Concern Brighton Hove and Portslade (ACBHP) and supported by Community Service Volunteers - Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (CSV-RSVP).

Who can volunteer?
Anyone over the age of 50. We welcome people from different backgrounds and with different abilities, skills and experience.

What is involved?
You can join as a Volunteer Organiser or as a Volunteer.

As a Volunteer Organiser you will take a lead role in running the project. Your responsibilities will involve:

• researching/planning the project
• running/supporting the project
• identifying/recruiting volunteers
• publicising the project

As a Volunteer you will help run the activities that will improve the lives of older people in your community. The Volunteer Organiser will help you carry out your work.

You choose how much time you wish to give - whether it be two hours or two days or more a week - your contribution will help us make a difference.

How can I make a difference?

These are the projects and activities you could help support:

• LifeLines at Patching Lodge: LifeLines are running the following free activities at Patching Lodge for all residents of Tarner and Eastern Road aged 50 or over
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  Games Morning - come and play a game or bring your own, free tea and coffee. Mondays from 10:30am to 12:30pm, just drop by, no booking required.

  Art Classes for beginners or those who feel their skills are ‘rusty’ - Tuesdays 10am to 12pm, please phone to book a place.

  Drop-in Knitting - come and knit or learn to knit with others, starting Tuesday 16th March 10am to 12pm, and then every third Tuesday of the month.

  Read Aloud group - If you love the spoken word, come along and share your favourite pieces of poetry and prose. Tuesdays 2pm to 4pm. No booking required.

  Ladybirds Dance Class - come and move to great music, Thursdays 10am to 12pm, please phone Sheila on 698406 for details.

  Activity Partners Urgently Wanted Too; It isn’t easy to join a new activity or group on your own, especially for older people.

  Activity Partners are over 50s volunteers who will be matched with other people over 50 in the Tarner and Eastern Road area, and will assist the older person on a regular basis to attend activities or events such as those above or walking, swimming, knitting or any activity or club they may want to join.

  If you are interested in becoming an Activity Partner and helping an older person get out of the house, or if you or someone you know would like to be matched with an Activity Partner, please contact the LifeLines team.

• Activity partners: We are looking for volunteers to act as Activity Partners for older people living in the Queens Park area who would like to be more active but don't have the confidence to get out on their own. Volunteers would accompany their partner over a minimum 12 week period.
• Reminiscence: Resminiscence work is proven to be very beneficial to people living in a care setting. We are currently looking for volunteers to help run the reminiscence sessions for older people living in sheltered accommodation in the Queens Park area of Brighton. Training and support is provided. We are also looking for a volunteer to act as an organiser helping to co-ordinate the reminiscence project.
• Knitting: Help set up and run or join a social knitting group in your community. Knitting is a passionate hobby for many older people and these groups can provide vital social contact.
• 'Old Spice' Cooking club for older men: Come and learn the basics, share your new skills and have fun. We will support and help you develop the confidence to led your own cooking club.
• Reading: Visit older people who are finding themselves becoming isolated, due to age related sight loss. You can keep their love of books alive by reading with them and enabling them to be part of library and community based read-aloud groups.
• Drivers: Enable older people who have limited mobility to attend the LifeLines activities. By giving an older person a lift, just once a month, you could make a huge difference to their sense of well-being.

What to do next

If you want to join any of our ongoing groups or activities or are interested in becoming a LifeLines volunteer organiser and would like more information on the project please call or email us to request an information pack.

Contact: Janette Palfrey or Gwyneth Chanlewis
Telephone: (01273) 508118

Email: LifeLines@ageconcern-bhp.org.uk

Post: 2A Port Hall Road, Brighton, BN1 5PD