​What is Ageing Better Middlesbrough?

Ageing Better Middlesbrough is a six-year, £6 million programme aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation for people aged 50 and over in Middlesbrough.

It’s made up of several different projects and organisations working together, collecting and sharing information about exciting local opportunities for older people to access so that they can connect with their community.

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Within the project, Actes Trust delivered Peer Mentoring, which aimed to recruit and support Peer Friendship volunteers to support people to feel less lonely and isolated, helping them to reconnect with others and activities in their local community.

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Who did the Peer Mentoring project help?

The Peer Friendship community support project worked with people aged 50 and over who were lonely and isolated.  Individuals who accessed the project included those who had lost a partner, become ‘cut-off’ and/or had lost their independence due to health conditions.

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What support did Peer Friendship provide?

The Peer Friendship project provided volunteering opportunities in Middlesbrough and as a partner on the project, Actes Trust recruited and supported Peer Friendship volunteers, who then committed regular time to supporting beneficiaries, in line with the needs of the individual. Support ranged from spending time having a cuppa and a chat to help with shopping and even enjoying days out together.

What was the impact of the Peer Friendship project?

Peer Friendship volunteers contributed in excess of 1,600 volunteering hours across the 21-month lifespan of the project supporting 82 people in total.

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Quotes from participants accessing the project...

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