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  1. About us
  2. Our history

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

Published: 17th March, 2016

Updated: 5th August, 2021

Author:

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Latest

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  • Work with us

    Work with us

    We are a small local charity and support older people and people living with dementia in Southwark

  • Become a volunteer

    Become a volunteer

    Make a difference to an older person's life in your community and join our team of amazing volunteers.

  • How we help

    How we help

    We run services for over 60s and people living with dementia to reduce loneliness and isolation

  • Apply to volunteer

  • Meet the team

    Meet the team

    A full list of Link Age Southwark's staff team and Board of Trustees

  • Make a referral

    Make a referral

    Link Age Southwark welcomes referrals of people who are aged 60 years and over, and people of any age with a confirmed diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia.

  • Befriending

    Befriending

    A weekly visit from a volunteer for a friendly chat, cup of tea or maybe a gentle stroll.

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    Celia de Wolff & Robert Glenister

  • Dementia Services

    Dementia Services

    We provide a specialised service for anyone living with a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia.

  • Hospital Buddy

    Hospital Buddy

    If you are an empathetic person who would like to provide support to an older person recovering from elective surgery, consider becoming a Hospital Buddy for up to six months.

My experience as a volunteer

My experience as a volunteer

I've always worked in the NHS, mostly in paediatrics, and when I retired I wanted to do something equally rewarding but different so when I found that Link Age Southwark (Dulwich Helpline as it was then) was looking for befrienders for the elderly I thought this sounded exactly what I was looking for. Read more

Published: 8th June, 2020

Updated: 9th June, 2020

Author: Janet Lowe

Location: 46 Thurlow Park Road, West Dulwich, London, SE21 8HZ

Link Age Southwark
URC
Tell Grove
London
SE22 8RH

Phone: 020 8299 2623
Email: [email protected]

Registered as Charity number 1105923

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