A note from our Colleagues at Age UK Derby & Derbyshire - COVID-19 and your community group

Can you help older people feel less lonely and isolated in the coming months of self-isolation for people aged 70+ and other vulnerable groups?

Please can you encourage older people attending your group, club or class to become a telephone buddy?

It’s simple and quick. Just ask people if they are willing to share their name and telephone number with another person in the group. Then buddy people together so everyone gets and gives at least one call. Encourage everyone to agree a frequency and length of call – for example they might like to call each other on the same day and time as the club meets and they can take it in turns to call so that they share the phone-call costs.

If someone would rather not share their contact details of course respect this decision, but if possible share yours with them so that they can change their mind.

When the self-isolation for people aged 70+ begins the telephone buddying will help older people have a chat with someone and check on each other. It is helpful if you give guidance about who to call if they are concerned about their buddy. This contact could be you, or an organisation like ours. If you want to give our phone number its: 01773 766922 but please remember this is only staffed during working days.

Thank you very much for helping older people cope better in the weeks to come.

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