Christians Together Against Loneliness are a collective of organisations committed to tackling isolation in our communities. We’ve developed Make a Meal of It to be an effective and fun way to build connection with older people in community. Follow the links for more resources, training and events we offer- we’d love to hear from you.
Partner Organisations
Livability is the disability charity that connects people with their communities.
We tackle social isolation and the barriers that can cause this in the lives of disabled and vulnerable people.
Through a wide range of disability, education, training and community services, we promote inclusion and wellbeing for all. Together, we work to see people take part, contribute and be valued. We put the elements in place that all add up to connected lives and communities.
Linking Lives UK works with churches and Christian organisations across the UK to support the establishment of befriending schemes aimed at isolated older people. Local schemes use our tried and tested approach which includes access to key documents and procedures. Other activities and social events can also be developed in local communities. www.linkinglives.uk
Care Home Friends: Equipping the church to tackle the loneliness of the elderly in care homes, through trained volunteers spending time and building friendship with residents. www.carehomefriends.org.uk
Pilgrims’ Friend Society We are a charity that provides the Christian love, support and encouragement that older people need to live fulfilled lives. We are passionate about helping people who are lonely, and helping people who are distant from God to come to know him.
The Gift of Years from BRF is inspiring, equipping and enabling communities across the UK to improve the spiritual lives of older people. The programme is developing Anna Chaplaincy to Older People, an ecumenical, community-based model of chaplaincy offering spiritual support to older people and their relatives and carers-- irrespective of whether individuals have a strong faith, little, or none. Taking time to listen to the older persons stories, spending time together and easing their feelings of being alone. Our Messy Vintage project provides a practical way for churches to use Bible based craft activities to reach out to older people and is a great resource for a ‘Make a meal of it’ event. Go to https://www.thegiftofyears.org.uk/messy-vintage for more details.
Parish Nursing Ministries UK is a Christian charity which helps local churches appoint nurses, who in turn support people and communities towards whole person healthcare. This is care for the person’s overall well-being, incorporating body, mind and spirit. http://parishnursing.org.uk
Livability offers training and resources to support Dementia inclusive Churches. We have teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society to produce a practical guide for churches and other faith communities looking for practical advice on how to create more dementia-friendly environments. http://www.abilitysunday.org.uk/dementia-friendly-churches-guide/
Torch Trust is committed to blind and partially sighted people who can often feel isolated and lonely even in crowds of people. We want to inspire churches to really welcome and include blind and partially sighted people into their communities www.torchtrust.org.
The Salvation Army exists for those who do not belong to it as much as for those who do. In this present day crisis of loneliness the Army welcomes all and everyone to all their church and community activities across the UK, which include friendship groups, befriending, lunch clubs, choirs, especially for older people. The Salvation Army longs to win this war on loneliness with the weapons of love, time, relationship and faith. www.salvationarmy.org.uk.
