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As a housing provider, we understand that social isolation can have a significant impact on well-being. This is especially true during holiday periods and religious festivals when feelings of loneliness can be heightened. Fortunately, there are many local organisations that we work alongside who offer offering support, activities, and befriending services to help you feel more connected in your community.

Support in Aylesbury this Easter

• FoodCycle Aylesbury: Provides free community meals every Tuesday at 6 pm at Aylesbury Vineyard Church, Gatehouse Close. These meals offer an opportunity for residents to enjoy nutritious food and engage in friendly conversation. No booking is required; simply turn up on the day.
• Space Aylesbury: Offers support for adults experiencing difficult times, including relationship challenges, depression, bereavement, unemployment, mental health issues, and loneliness. They host various weekly activities such as drop-ins, art groups, and walking groups, providing opportunities for social interaction and support. ​
• Aylesbury Foodbank: Provides emergency food supplies to individuals in crisis. While not specifically an Easter initiative, their services are invaluable to those facing hardship during the holiday period. ​
• Aylesbury Town Council Community Noticeboard: Lists various community groups and events, such as the "Never Alone" sessions on Tuesdays from 10 am to 12:30 pm, featuring activities like community colouring, crafting, and games. These events offer opportunities for social engagement and can be particularly beneficial during holiday periods. ​

How We Can Help

To ensure you have access to the right support, we are committed to promoting local events and resources. Whether it's signposting to befriending services, highlighting local social groups, or facilitating connections between residents, our Welfare Team can support with directing you to the right agencies that can help. You can email or call our Contact Centre to be put through to a member of the team or visit them at the Community Hub which runs at the Vineyard, Gatehouse Close, Aylesbury, HP19 8DN every Tuesday morning from 9:45 am until 11:45 am. We also have a page on our website more tailored to wellbeing support which includes links to mental health, addiction, and domestic abuse support.

Key agencies and support services

Here are some of the fantastic organisations offering loneliness support, assistance, and companionship:

Support in Buckinghamshire

• Bucks Health Services: Offers advice and services for social well-being and loneliness prevention.
• Buckinghamshire Council: Provides guidance on tackling social isolation.
• Age UK - Befriending Plus Service (Meadowcroft Aylesbury): Connects older residents with friendly volunteers.
• Bucks Mind Befriending Service: Offers an online referral system to access companionship services.
• Youth Concern: A charity that supports young people, aged 18-25, they have a drop-in centre for people in the community. 

 

Support in Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire 

• Health Watch Milton Keynes: Helps young people tackle loneliness.
• Milton Keynes Council: Offers mental health and well-being resources.
• Age UK Milton Keynes - Befriending Service: Supports older adults in the region.
• Hertfordshire Mind Network: Provides various community-based activities supporting mental wellbeing.
• Community Action Dacorum (Hemel Hempstead): Supports individuals through community initiatives. 

 

Support in Bedfordshire

• The Connolly Foundation: Provides social hubs and support for older residents.
• Friends for Life, Bedford: Organises social activities and befriending opportunities.
• Central Bedfordshire Council: Offers groups and activities to combat loneliness.
• Age UK Telephone Befriending (Bedfordshire): Provides regular friendly phone calls for those in need.

 

Support in Oxfordshire

• Archway Foundation: A charity dedicated to reducing loneliness in Oxfordshire.
• Live Well Oxfordshire - Ami: An initiative connecting people through activities and support.

 

Support in Berkshire

• Community Connect - Bracknell: Helps people build connections and find local support networks.
• Berkshire Age UK Befriending Service: Provides telephone and in-person befriending services for older adults.

 

Support in Northamptonshire

• Chatty Café Scheme: Offers 'Chatter and Natter' tables in various venues across West Northamptonshire, providing spaces for people to meet and chat.
• Voluntary Impact Northampton - Happy at Home: Helps individuals reconnect with their local community, make friends, and access support. ​
• Serve's Countywide Befriending: Addresses loneliness and isolation among individuals aged 65 and older in North Northamptonshire.

 

Support in Herefordshire

• Herefordshire Mind: Provides mental health support with a focus on ensuring no one faces mental health challenges alone. ​
• Healthwatch Herefordshire: Aims to encourage and support community-led solutions, such as local groups and regular activities, to help people connect and combat loneliness. ​
• Compassionate Communities: A grassroots initiative enabling local people to support those experiencing loneliness and help them reconnect with their communities. ​ 

If you or someone you know could benefit from these resources, please explore the links provided or contact us to connect with our Welfare Team.