Our history

For over a quarter of a century, Link Age Southwark has been building friendships between older people and volunteers. 

We started out life in 1993 as two separate charities, Dulwich Helpline and Southwark Churches Care. In 2012, the two charities merged and in 2015 we changed our name to Link Age Southwark. We've been going from strength to strength ever since. 

Dulwich Helpline

Dulwich Helpline was founded in 1993 as volunteer-led venture between the congregations of St Barnabas Church and Dulwich Grove United Reformed Church. The charity was set up to provide support to older people in need of help or advice or with needs such as transport, visits, shopping, cooking and gardening. 

However, the team of volunteers soon realised that the most important aspect of their service was the social interaction between the volunteers and older people, forming the basis of our befriending service that is still running today.

Southwark Churches Care

Southwark Churches Care started life in 1993 as a volunteer visiting scheme for older people, created in response to the Government's new Care in the Community initiative which aimed to bring about changes to support people in the community rather than in institutions. 

The organisation aimed to improve older people's quality of life and reduce isolation by recruiting volunteers to befriend older people and offering support and assistance to over 65s living in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Walworth, Camberwell, Peckham and Nunhead.

The Future

With demand for our services ever increasing and the waiting list for people in need of a befriender or activity group growing, we are in need of more volunteers to make the work of our charity possible. Please take a look at our volunteering opportunities below, we have lots of roles available to suit all interests.

Find out more about volunteering