Elder Tree Befriending

Elder Tree Befriending helps older people lead full and independent lives and offers them opportunities that most thought had passed them by.

Our various social inclusion groups include games, quizzes, crafts, choirs, coffee groups, IT sessions, and lunch/supper clubs. 

In addition, we run specific groups for people living with dementia, mild cognitive impairments, and long-term conditions, such as sporting reminiscence, singing for memory, themed thinking, and football friends. 

We promote and support our beneficiaries to continue to live independently and make and sustain friendships through activity groups.  Stimulating the minds of our beneficiaries and facilitating companionship is key.

Active Lives

Active Lives is a preventative, low-impact programme of physical activity and fall prevention that is delivered in various locations across the city. All sessions include time when our project workers can provide advice, information, and signposting across a wide range of issues.

The Active Lives activities include 25 exercise and movement classes. We deliver inclusive classes for both seated and standing participation. This includes 11 Tai Chi sessions, 3 Pilates groups, a cardio recovery class, and 6 strength and balance classes. 800 of our service users take part in at least 1 hour of exercise a week.

The prevention of falls is a key priority, and all our Active Lives groups have posture and stability training included as a core element. This is a significant game changer in addressing fall prevention and recovery across Plymouth. Strength & balance criteria for GP/physiotherapist referrals.

The mix of social engagement, advice, and light exercise contributes significantly to improving the self-esteem and promoting the continued independent living of our beneficiaries. This has also been a catalyst, in many cases, for new and supportive friendships and the recruitment of volunteers for our charity.

Active Men

Getting men together to be more active and make friends.

We identified a real need within our service to provide activities for men who were lonely, socially isolated, and lacked social interactions and activity in their lives. Thanks to the People's Project Lottery Funding, we were able to put the 'Active Men' programme into action.

We have been able to set up some fantastic sports-based social sessions and activities, especially for older men, that take place across the city and are built around the men that attend. This includes walking groups, walking football, bowling, curling, games, quizzes, and activity groups. 

One-to-One Support

Our  'One to One' befriending service supports frail and socially isolated older people who are housebound in their homes with a volunteer befriender. W  There are other criteria that must be met for 'One to One' befriending, which will be checked by our referral team during their assessment visit. 

Elder Tree activity locations

Make a referral to Elder Tree Befriending 

• Make a self referral for yourself 
• Make a referral for a family or friend

Volunteer with Elder Tree Befriending

All our volunteers take part in a comprehensive 'in-house' training and support process and all have up-to-date DBS clearance.

Volunteering is a two-way street. You will make a real difference to someone who is likely to be lonely, isolated, and desperately in need of company. You will, in return, get the immense satisfaction of making a real difference while making a meaningful contribution to your local community, and the only cost to you will be a couple of hours of your time a week. For a vulnerable older person, you will provide a positive impact, bring a smile to their face, and likely be the highlight of their week.

For yourself, you will gain experience in community work, develop your social and team skills, and be rewarded with the satisfaction that you are making a real difference.

If you would like to get involved with volunteering, please get in touch.

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