
A Farewell & A Thanks
It’s with a huge amount of pride and an inevitable dose of sadness that we’re announcing the closure of Connectforce Community. The venture has been in operation for three years, and founder-directors Claudia, Victoria and Eleanor have come to the decision that now is the right time to bring active operation to a close.
Connectforce began as a reaction and a response to the pandemic, as a casual conversation between fellow volunteers chopping onions and packaging meals for NHS workers. We never could have predicted or planned for what followed - that kernel of an idea led to us incorporating as a business, working with nine brilliant freelancers, two external Board members, recruiting over 100 volunteers and establishing relationships with countless local councils, care homes and networks supporting young people. Most importantly, Connectforce programmes have supported over 200 marginalised individuals and facilitated over 20,000 minutes worth of conversations, creating intergenerational connections across the United Kingdom. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege.
We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has helped us over the last three years. Without our tireless supporters, collaborators, mentors and volunteers, we would never have got off the ground. Thank you.
Claudia, Vikki & Elle x
In Celebration... Our Journey

We have proudly donated 327 devices across the United Kingdom to over 150 care homes and housing associations.
We spent hours calling care home staff, recruiting volunteers in various cities to help with deliveries, and learning about the heroes amongst the care homes’ residents and staff!
We are incredibly proud of our role in supporting care homes to digitally bring the outside in during Covid-19.
Device Donation Initiative

Technology is not a quick fix for loneliness. We learnt pretty quickly there is much more required to ensure individuals feel connected and included in the wider community.
In response, we set up Connectforce Companions. This virtual befriending programme paired performing artists who were rendered out of work thanks to Covid-19 lockdowns, and care home residents to support one another during these times on the devices we had donated.
With over 100 volunteers, individuals connected, shared stories, laughed, and even baked together for over 20,000 minutes.
Connectforce Companions

Empowered by the impact we had created through utilising performing artists' skills, we began asking what else we could do to promote social inclusion via artistic means.
Research shows that younger people are statistically more likely to experience loneliness and isolation, particularly those at risk of margnialisatio So we contacted our network and co-designed Get Vocal Youth with facilitators and young people.
Get Vocal is a drama-derived workshop focused on confidence and communication.
Get Vocal Youth
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Our final development was Musical Companions, an iteration of our Companions scheme adapted for those living with conditions such as dementia, memory loss, or speech impediments, who may not be able to participate and benefit from the traditional Companions model fully.
Instead of having a conventional chat, Companions spent their time enjoying music together. We promoted personalised care of the individual, so paired people based off their music taste and preference. This supported our volunteers to truly unlock memories and magic surrounded by music.
Musical Companions