Meeting for Coffee: Jeffery and Anne's Story

Jeffrey was referred to our ACE Neighbours project in 2018. ACE Neighbours aims to reduce loneliness and isolation in older people and operates in Hartcliffe, Withywood, Filwood, Lawrence Hill and Keynsham. Connecting with people and taking part in activities can make all the difference to our quality of life but it can be a bit daunting going along to something on your own. Not surprisingly, most people would prefer to have someone to go with. This is where ACE Neighbours can make a difference. A volunteer is matched with an older person experiencing loneliness and together they can try things until the person feels confident getting out and about on their own.

ACE Neighbours arranged for Anne to visit Jeffrey. Anne gave Jeffrey a purpose to leave the house, providing information on local activities and planning which ones to try out.

Jeffrey said: “I needed a buddy; someone who I could go out and meet for a coffee. Before Anne started visiting me life was dark. I wasn’t active. I plodded on from day to day. At Anne’s first visit we talked and talked. We talked about anything and everything and felt at ease in each other’s company.”

“Our next meet-up was at the swimming pool. After that we enjoyed many hours of drinking coffee at the leisure centre, as well as swimming! I really enjoyed each visit from Anne. It’s nice to know that someone’s coming and have that to look forward to. Anne always had a smile on her face. If I needed something explaining, Anne explained it to me. Or if I felt uneasy Anne helped me through it.”

Over the last six months that Anne has been spending time with Jeffrey she can see the difference in him: “Jeffrey is now more confident and outward-looking.” Jeffrey agrees: “I can now go out and find stuff to do. My main aim is to get out and socialise.” During their time together, Jeffrey joined a cookery course and a gardening group. He also started attending a local coffee morning, which was a significant step for Jeffrey as he went along to it for the first time without Anne – something which, a few months ago, he wouldn’t have had the confidence to do. Jeffrey also attends a monthly prayer meeting and through his involvement there has started donating to the local food bank: “It feels nice to do it – to give something back.”

Jeffrey now has a structure to his week and, most importantly, has the social contact he was lacking previously. Anne enjoyed her volunteering greatly and although the 6 month period of support has come to an end, Anne and Jeffrey’s friendship hasn’t. They have plans to visit a garden centre, the museum and are looking forward to an upcoming cinema trip.

Jeffrey summed up his experience of ACE Neighbours: "My confidence had been knocked and I thought this might help bring it back up. And it has come back up… a lot! I now start to talk to others and people have begun to tell me when their confidence is low. It’s been a good experience. I’ve enjoyed it. Now I’m ready to move onto the next chapter in my life.”