Connectforce Companions
Connectforce Companions is our virtual befriending initiative.
Since Connectforce was established earlier this year, our research has shown that whilst the ability to communicate with loved ones via video calls has been a true life-line for many care home residents, there are a huge number who simply don’t have anyone to call.
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There may be any number of reasons for this, but the simple fact is that a frighteningly large proportion of our elderly population describe themselves as ‘lonely’.
In fact, according to the Campaign to End Loneliness, ‘the number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6’.
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The scheme is open to any care home residents and the process is simple:
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Connectforce will pair residents with volunteer virtual ‘companions’, with whom they will communicate through weekly video calls.
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Residents and their companions can talk about whatever they like - just like you would if you were meeting a friend face to face.
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Our friendly companions are all fully trained and DBS checked, and will be personally matched to each individual resident.
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Our Companions are professionals from the arts sector. They’re confident communicators, and have great levels of empathy and openness, making them perfectly placed for this scheme.