info@linkagesouthwar

At Link Age Southwark, our volunteers are vital to achieving our charity's mission of supporting older people to thrive in later life. Our fantastic team of volunteers generously give up their time to help combat isolation and loneliness amongst older people by providing one-to-one support, helping at our groups, ensuring our community fundraising goes from strength to strength and so much more! We're always looking for people to join our wonderful team of volunteers. By volunteering you will enrich your life and the lives of older people in your community. Everyone has something to offer! Find out about our volunteer roles here: https://www.linkagesouthwark.org/Listing/Category/volunteer-roles Apply to volunteer here: https://www.linkagesouthwark.org/volunteer-application We look forward to hearing from you!

Everyone’s counting the pennies as the cost of living crisis hits home, but kind-hearted supporters have helped local charity Link Age Southwark, raise £20,210 in just one week – for their Big Give Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign. This year’s campaign was focused on the provision of vital transport services for older people, people living with dementia and their carers. The Big Give is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign. Link Age Southwark needed to raise £10,000 in online donations during the week of 29 November to 6 December in order to see that doubled to £20,000 thanks to a Big Give Christmas Challenge ‘pledge pot’ of a further £10,000 generously pledged by Patrons of the charity and the Lake House Charitable Foundation. The charity reached their £10,000 target on Monday 5 December, ahead of the midday deadline on 6 December – and Link Age Southwark will receive a fantastic total of £20,210. These vital funds will help Link Age Southwark provide volunteer drivers, escorted taxis for those living with dementia and their carers, and the use of an accessible minibus for larger events to enable over 250 local people to leave their homes to attend a warm and safe space for social, exercise and activity groups organised by the charity. With temperatures dropping and the difficult financial situation continuing to make headlines, these journeys will be more important than ever. Edith, who uses Link Age Southwark’s services, said: “It gets me out of my home where I am usually on my own during the day. I look forward to being in the company of others – it's good to exercise and to talk. It makes me feel less lonely. I have mobility problems; my balance is poor and I am afraid that I will fall. I can't use public transport or walk. It is great that Link Age Southwark arrange free transport. If I had to pay it, I am not sure I would be able to attend.” Sophie Wellings, Chief Executive of Link Age Southwark said: “We believe no older person should feel lonely. We’re doing all we can to ensure the people we work with can continue to get out and about, and have warm, safe and welcoming places where they can enjoy exercise and social activities with their peers, our staff and volunteers. This £20,210 is a wonderful festive boost to our work, and we’re so grateful to everyone who supported our Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign.” Link Age Southwark relies on donations for the transport services it provides, as well as the other services they provide free of charge – these include a befriending scheme, hospital buddies for older people having elective surgery, digital support and a regular newsletter as well as one-to-one support with form filling and accessing local services. You can make a donation at any time, or find out more about volunteering opportunities with Link Age Southwark at www.linkagesouthwark.org

You can double your donation during Link Age Southwark's Big Give Christmas Challenge and help them to combat loneliness and isolation experienced by older people in the community. The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK?s biggest online match funding campaign, taking place from midday on Tuesday 1 December until midday on Tuesday 8 December. During this week, any donations made to Link Age Southwark, up until their target is reached, will be DOUBLED! The funds raised will enable the charity to diversify the way they offer their social and activity groups, to include face-to-face, online platforms and conference calling. They are working to reduce loneliness and isolation experienced by older people and those living with a diagnosis of dementia, ultimately ensuring nobody is excluded in the community. As government guidelines continue to change, it is essential for Link Age Southwark to adapt and expand the way they offer their groups to those they work with. The Big Give Campaign goes live on Tuesday 1 Dec @ 12pm. You can make a donation here: [https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a051r00001eQ8nqAAC]

Can you help local charity Link Age Southwark reach their all or nothing ?Bloomin? Lovely? crowdfunder project target? An all or nothing target means that if we don?t reach our target all supporters are refunded and the project won?t be funded. The vision for our Bloomin? Lovely project is to adapt and expand our gardening service in an extra special way to show that the local community cares about our older friends. As a result of the lockdown most older people have been unable to do any kind of shopping, including buying plants and flowers to spruce up their gardens. This year, Link Age Southwark?s aim is to adapt their service for those who are shielding, self-isolating or worried about going out, and to bring a bit of colour back into their lives by delivering bedding plants, a bunch of flowers or a houseplant to them. Link Age Southwark have had to cancel their planned community fundraising events which raise vital funds to facilitate their services. Your support with this project will enable them to make up the shortfall in order to sustain their service provision at a time when it has never been more important. A small contribution from you will help deliver smiles to our community of vulnerable older people who deserve to feel valued. To find out more and to support this project please visit www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/bloomin-lovely

Link Age Southwark is a vibrant local charity providing friendly volunteer support to over 650 isolated, older people in Southwark. Our work is supported by over 450 volunteers and a team of 12 staff. Link Age Southwark has been providing services to older people for over 25 years, reducing loneliness and social isolation. The Treasurer plays a vital role in the continued long-term success of the charity which has seen a significant increase in the demand for our services. The role requires you to oversee the financial running of the charity in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements. The Treasurer reports to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. You will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are maintained, and are appropriate for the charity. As a trustee, you will play a full strategic role in the running of our organisation. We are looking for an experienced financial manager with a good grasp of third sector issues who is committed to helping Link Age Southwark achieve its aims. The Treasurer has particular duties and responsibilities which are additional, and complementary, to those of other Trustees. In carrying out these duties, the Treasurer should always remember that they are acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees and should seek the advice of, and proactively involve, the Chair, other Trustees and/or the Director as necessary. As Treasurer you will need to attend and chair four Finance Committee meetings per year which usually take place at the end of the day in East Dulwich, SE London and last for up to two hours; and six Board meetings a year which are in the evening in SE London and last for 2-3 hours. The current Treasurer communicates with the Director and book-keeper in between meetings. You will receive a full induction to your role. The Treasurer role will provide you with insight into the workings of a small, thriving and well-respected local charity. The Board of Link Age Southwark is well established and highly functional with a wide range of skills and expertise amongst its members. Our current Treasurer is stepping down in October. Ideally we would like the candidate to begin before that time in order to ensure a smooth handover, however this can be flexible. For a full role description, personal specification and details of how to apply please visit our website ? www.linkagesouthwark.org/jobs If you would like to discuss the role with the Director before applying please either e-mail [email protected] or call Sophie Wellings on 020 8299 2623 Please note that this position is not remunerated, however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Link Age Southwark is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We are seeking volunteer support at a group for enthusiastic older people to get together and enjoy gentle exercises which are tailored to people's abilities. The exercise is led by a specialist tutor. The volunteer support role would involve: welcoming participants to the class, setting out the chairs, taking a register, preparing and serving refreshments and assisting new participants with filling in forms. As the volunteer support you can also benefit from taking part in the exercises. The chair-based exercises are good for strength, balance and circulation. This role is ideal for anyone interested in volunteering with older people, who enjoys talking to people and doesn't mind participating in a bit of exercise. You will need to undertake training and screening including DBS. Out of pocket expenses can be claimed. The group is held on Gervase Street, Peckham and meets on a weekly basis on a Thursday lunchtime. For more information please email Melissa at [email protected] or visit our website at http://linkagesouthwark.org/volunteering/ About Link Age Southwark: Link Age Southwark is a vibrant local charity providing friendly volunteer support to over 600 isolated, older people in Southwark. We help older people stay connected with their communities, alleviating loneliness, improving health and wellbeing and making communities stronger through volunteering. We recruit, train and support volunteers to deliver our services - we currently work with over 400 fantastic volunteers.

"Being a befriender is really lovely. Nothing else in my week matches it!" Volunteering for Link Age Southwark brings many rewards. From visiting someone who is really keen to have a friendly chat once a week, driving someone to our groups, helping with light DIY and gardening to assisting at our activity groups. Giving some of your time could make a big difference to the life of our older friends and neighbours. Helping in your community and making you feel better in yourself are just some of the rewards you could experience as a volunteer. Learn more by visiting: www.linkagesouthwark.org/volunteering or call 020 8299 2623. We would be delighted to discuss our volunteering opportunities with you.

Link Age Southwark is seeking a volunteer clerk to their Board of Trustees who meet every two months to take notes and produce and circulate approved minutes to all trustees. This is a good opportunity who is interested in learning about a fantastic local charity which supports older people throughout Southwark and who is also interested in gaining experience working with a board of trustees. This volunteer would ideally be experienced in note-taking and producing minutes to a high standard, have good English language and communications skills. For more information please contact [email protected] or call 020 8299 2623.

The All That Jazz concert is back for its 6th fabulous year, brought to you by the pupils of six local schools in Dulwich. On Friday 24th March, join us for an evening of talent and entertainment in aid of Link Age Southwark?s work supporting local older people. Tickets ?10 (under 15s free) available from http://linkagesouthwark.org/events/jazz-friday-24th-march-2017/. The concert is taking place at Holst Hall, JAGS School, East Dulwich Grove, SE22 8TE from 7-9pm. There will be a raffle and cash bar on the evening. Performances from: JAGS, The Charter School, Kingsdale, Dulwich College, Dulwich Prep and St Olave?s.

Could you volunteer an hour a week to help older people in Southwark? Link Age Southwark is a local charity based in Dulwich Community Hospital. The charity provides friendly support to combat loneliness and help older people stay socially active in the community. We recruit volunteers to visit older people for an hour a week, help organise activity groups or provide lifts to transport older people to social activities. If you're interested in volunteering, please email [email protected] or call 020 8299 2623 for more information and to receive an application pack.