Here at Homewise, we want to create a lasting positive impact, not only for our customers but for our local community. Our values of honesty, originality, passion and empowerment (HOPE) are at the core of every conversation and action we take, and our charity work is no different.
Each year Homewise supports a number of charities through volunteering time, sponsorships, donations and fundraising opportunities. We donate our weekly ‘dress-down Friday’ collection and organise big fundraising challenges, like climbing Snowdon for Mind and rowing the Thames for Ronald McDonald House Charities and AHOY for example.
This year we’re supporting two fabulous local charities – Time to Talk Befriending and Guild Care. We’re committed to causes affecting older people and we’ll be spending our volunteering hours and each fundraising opportunity on these wonderful charities throughout 2018.
Read on to learn a little more about Time to Talk Befriending and Guild Care and how you could support both charities this year.
Time to Talk Befriending
Time to Talk Befriending is a local charity based in Hove, East Sussex. Its goal is to befriend, connect and engage with the older residents in the community who may be experiencing loneliness.
Founder Emily Kenward recognised the need for a befriending scheme following research conducted in Brighton in 2012. The results highlighted the urgent need for a service that would help older people, with a focus on developing the lasting relationships they felt they were missing.
For many older people loneliness is an unwelcome feeling of loss. Loneliness is proven to cause early loss of life which is why services like ours are needed to help elders to feel connected with their community. Maintaining friendships and remaining active are two key factors to improving wellbeing in later life. We therefore cannot advocate befriending enough! Emily Kenward
Volunteering with Time to Talk Befriending
Older people may be facing a range of obstacles in their lives which affect their ability to socialise or meet new people, from health or mobility issues to confidence or lack of awareness about local activities. But Time to Talk Befriending is there to help.
Its volunteers are matched with older people for companionship and weekly or fortnightly visits take place at home or within the community. We’ll be joining volunteers each month to make friends with people in the area and spend time learning all about their lives and interests.
Time to Talk Befriending understands that “our elders should be honoured and respected, not forgotten” and aims to combat loneliness in the community, ensuring older people no longer feel invisible and alone. We’re so excited to support this great cause and have already been lucky enough to meet 91-year-old Bill this month. He won the hearts of both Louisa and Charlotte from our team and, as an avid Arsenal fan, is looking forward to meeting fellow football enthusiasts from our office next week!
Read more about the befriending services available with Time to Talk Befriending and opportunities to volunteer and support the charity over on their website - tttb.org.uk
Guild Care
Celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, Guild Care has a well-established relationship in the local community supporting those in need. Its vision is of an “organisation at the heart of a thriving local community where people are able to choose and help shape the services they need to enjoy healthy, engaging and independent lives.”
In 1933, a small team of dedicated pioneers founded and developed the Worthing Council of Social Service (today known as Guild Care) to “create a kinder, more caring society”. 85 years later, Guild Care is now one of the largest employers in Worthing, West Sussex, providing essential services and community centres for over 3,000 vulnerable older people, people with dementia and their carers as well children and young people with special needs.
Volunteering with Guild Care
The Guild Care Centre in Worthing is friendly and lively hub where older people can relax and have fun with other like-minded individuals. Guild Care encourages healthy and active lifestyles for people over 50 years old and we’re looking forward to joining in the fun. Our team will be volunteering at the centre throughout the year and spending regular one-to-one time with patrons each month.
Guild Care’s mission is to “deliver innovative and life-changing care services which help people share and enjoy a richer family and community life”, and we couldn’t be prouder to support them this year. We’ve already been able to join in the weekly quiz, play a few rounds of dominoes and sell raffle tickets over at the centre last month and can’t wait to return next week!
Read more about the history of Guild Care, and the many ways you can support the charity over on their website - guildcare.org
Our passionate team are committed to helping others and supporting both Guild Care and Time to Talk Befriending this year will be a wonderful opportunity to help the local community. Through our actions, words and simple acts of kindness we can make a difference and, by dedicating our time, money and skills to charitable causes, we can continue to help people enjoy their retirement.
We’ll be posting regular updates about our fundraising and volunteering days over on our social channels, so keep an eye out for the latest news and upcoming events - like our Facebook page!
Would you like to support your community and volunteer in your spare time? Take a look at our top tips for volunteering blog for inspiration.
Are you thinking of moving closer to friends and family? Here at Homewise, we help people over 60 years old find the perfect property for their retirement. Our mission is to help people retire happy and we’re able to do so with our Home for Life Plan saving and the Move Simply service.
If you’re considering moving home, call 0808 302 4665 to speak with our team today and find out how we could help you retire happy.
In the meantime, you can use our online Budget Booster! It's simple, quick and could provide you with a better understanding of your potential budget.