Loneliness and isolation can have big impact on the health and wellbeing of older people. Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge provides a Community Befriending service to help tackle the causes of isolation and loneliness.

The service aims to enable older people to:

• Overcome the barriers of isolation & loneliness

• Share the company of others

• Talk to someone

• Pursue interests & activities in the local community

• Maintain independence and gain information & enable clients to stay at home longer

Mainly for people aged 65 or over living in the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge area who have become housebound or detached from community life through bereavement, moving house, disability, mental illness, etc.

Who will refer?

The person needing help, their relatives, carers, health or social service professionals, GP, etc.

Referral is to Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.

For referrals in the Maidstone area, please contact us on 01622 753618, or e-mail info@ageukmst.org.uk.

For referrals in Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, please contact us on 01732 366100 or e-mail befriending@ageukmst.org.uk. 

What happens next?

The befriending coordinator will to contact the person needing help.