You connect people who are alone
“When you come to this group you forget to feel lonely …”
It’s heartbreaking to read comments like this among many similar responses to our annual survey of people taking part in our Elder Care programmes.
Loneliness and isolation are widespread among elderly in our communities, and we are doing something about it by running structured weekly Elder Care groups that offer friendship, exercise and mental stimulation.
“When you come to this group you forget to be lonely”
We know there are many lonely elderly in our communities, especially those who can’t afford to live in retirement villages.
Our guest surveys reveal that for up to a third of all the elderly coming to our groups, it will likely be their only human connection that week.
The World Health Organisation estimates a quarter of elderly people face damaging isolation in their daily lives. It warns that social isolation and loneliness can seriously impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. In fact, it says the negative effect of loneliness on how long people live can be similar to other risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
In 2024, we expanded our Elder Care programmes by adding two new groups at Woodend-Pegasus and Temuka. We added another at South New Brighton in January 2025. They joined existing groups at Timaru, Aranui, Woolston, Opawa, Burwood, Avonside, FendaltonMerivale, Burnside-Harewood and North New Brighton.
The impact we aim for is increased happiness and fulfilment in the lives of our elderly guests’ and target those who need this support. The groups are run within parishes and are supported by them. The attendees are from parishes and those outside of parishes who do not have support and connections.
We keep the groups small to create maximum individual attention and a sense of belonging. Our 15 coordinators and 50 volunteers now look after 150 regular “guests”, as we prefer to call them.
The annual surveys are one way we check we are achieving the impact we want to see and, overall, they show deep gratitude and appreciation for what being part of an Elder Care group has brought to their lives.
Other comments from 2024 guests included:
“I would be very lonely if I did not come ... the meetings are a blessing”
“Looking beyond myself - I get out of my four walls”
“I enjoy the great welcome feeling of all group members and companionship”
“The exercises, quizzes and discussions make for positive thinking”
“I always look forward to coming to the group ... independence as well as friendship”
Photo Caption: Staff, volunteers and guests come together weekly at the Avonside group to bring a little more joy and purpose into lives.