Living Connections Forever

Social Interaction and Emotional Support:

• Through social interaction and emotional support through companionship it helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation which are common among individuals living alone or those with limited social networks.
• Engaging in meaningful conversations and activities with a companion can significantly improve clients' emotional well - being offering them a sense of connection and belonging.
• Community projects such as coffee mornings, it creates opportunities for individuals to socialise, meet new people and build friendships.
• These interactions are crucial for maintaining mental health and emotional stability as they provide a support network, whilst fostering a sense of community.

Physical activity and mental simulation:

• Through activities such as New Age Kurling, bowls and chair based exercises promote physical health by encouraging people to stay active.
• Regular physical activity helps improve mobility, overall fitness and strength which are essential for maintaining an individuals independence.
• Additionally, activities such as these offer mental stimulation and challenge a person to develop new skills, which can enhance cognitive function.
• Through offering a variety of activities, it allows an individual to engage in hobbies and interests that they enjoy whilst keeping their minds active and engaged.

Sense of purpose and Achievement:

• By participating in community events and projects, it gives an individual a sense of purpose and achievement.
• Through contributing to a group activity or even helping to organise a community event can hugely boost self-esteem and confidence.
• It provides goals to work towards and a reason to stay active and involved.

I have witnessed the very positive effects the Living Connections team have had on a family member who suddenly found herself quite alone and vulnerable.

Living Connections were contacted to see what support they could offer, particularly in terms of weekly shopping trips and setting up weekly events to socialise with other people.

Almost instantly my family member was being collected every week for an escorted trip to a local supermarket. This developed into the extra support of unpacking the shopping once home and even guiding her as to what she was running out of, what she needed and what was nearing a use by date.

The events entailed driving her to a weekly Kurling session and a fortnightly social Demntia group. Both of which have become highlights of the week and much looked forward too.

Furthermore, two members of the team, visit twice a week for an hours’ social chat, again much valued and enjoyed.

The team are very flexible, in terms of juggling times to suit when needed, innovative, friendly, caring and happy people. They offer quality and safe support and ring the daughter in Europe or myself if they feel they need to share information or seek guidance. They are always willing to do more if GP visits or pharmacy needs arise.

If they do all this for one person, and I know they have many more clients, then they are boosting morale in a vulnerable local population and helping them regain confidence and creating new friendships.