VIP Companionship for Older People

There are many reasons why people over the age of 70 can become socially isolated when they live alone, including bereavement, friends/family moving away from the area, loss of confidence or mobility/health issues.

If you or someone you know would value meeting a friendly volunteer for companionship once a month, then VIP Companionship for Older People can help. Maddy Jones, who founded the charity, matches volunteers with older people (the VIPs – the ‘very important/independent people’), based on shared interests, mutual respect and a desire to form a friendship.

Volunteer companions and VIPs then get to know each other through monthly get-togethers or outings – going to the cinema, a trip to the shops, a football match, afternoon tea in a garden centre – the goal is to have something in the calendar to look forward to and someone to spend time with.

Volunteers are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked and Maddy is committed to keeping older people as safe as she would a member of her own family.

If you would like to find out more, contact Maddy who will arrange a face-to-face meeting so you can talk together about your expectations as well as understand any special requirements you may have (for example, with regards health or mobility). If you are a professional who would like to refer someone to the service, then contact Maddy to ensure there are volunteers available and discuss your client/patient’s needs.

Bernie, one of the VIPs, said “Sharing an experience with a companion again feels good” and his companion said “We have a beautiful relationship, we bumble around together. Sometimes when he is too tired to go out (he is a widower and aged 91), we sit on the sofa and watch the football together.”  Sometimes that’s all that’s needed to keep loneliness at bay.

VIP Companionship is a charity and asks for a small donation to cover travel and other expenses for outings (depending on the circumstances of each older person) but there is no charge for the time spent. Any costs will be agreed in advance.

VIP Companionship for Older People is the operating name for The Russell Crowther Jones Foundation, Charity Registration No: 1140646