Befriending scheme Connectforce creates 100 new virtual friendships between older people and artists

Connectforce Community CIC connects the elderly with the arts world through digital programmes to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Connectforce is a social initiative born out of the Covid-19 pandemic to provide older people across the UK with electronic communication devices. Its three directors – a singer, an actor and a professional from the charity sector – saw the need to alleviate loneliness within the disconnected older community and spotted a natural fit with the arts world.

According to AgeUK: “There are 1.4 million chronically lonely older people in England, and many more across the rest of the UK.”

Tragically, some older adults can go weeks or months with absolutely no contact from another person. The effects of this social isolation can be devastating.

Connectforce’s mission is to harness the positivity, passion and empathy of the arts community to create long-lasting and meaningful connections for the elderly.

The Connectforce Companions befriending programme pairs isolated older individuals with volunteers from the arts world. Each week, these pairs share a 20-minute video call, during which they can talk about whatever they like. Volunteer companions are provided with Enhanced DBS checks and training before they are personally matched to their older companion.

Conversations have included chats about music, literature and local history – some pairs have even arranged post-pandemic visits to the theatre and the Oval cricket ground! One video call saw a professional singer dedicating a special performance of ‘Happy Birthday’ to her companion who commented: “This has made my year.”

Victoria Basten, who co-founded the organisation with Claudia Wace and Eleanor Sutton, said:

“The joy we have seen as a result of connecting older people with wonderful volunteers in the arts is immeasurable. It’s imperative we support the most vulnerable people in our society by connecting them with empathetic artists who care about harnessing their talents to help those who need it.”

Connectforce is actively recruiting more volunteers from both the arts world and care industry to grow the programme throughout 2021. It’s not a big commitment – 20 minutes once a week for eight weeks – but the difference this can make to a lonely older person is immeasurable.

Creatives can register on the ​website for the Companions programme, or by getting in touch at info@connectforce.community.