It has been over a year since the Islington Chinese Association's befriending service first begun through funding from the Wates Foundation and the project has gone from strength to strength. We are now providing social support to 12 older residents living in Islington. Whilst the number seems small, Susie Yau, the Chinese Concern Co-ordinator said that she deliberately kept it this way. "We had started the project from scratch so it was important to not be over-ambitious but to build up relationships with the users slowly. This way, we were able to build a full and clear picture about their needs and what they actually required from this service."

Mrs Lam, aged 90, states that the service has been a god send to her. She feels more loved and less lonely, knowing that someone visits her regularly. Similarly, the volunteers also benefit enormously from the scheme. Kam Ying Wong initially began volunteering to contribute something back to the community. She now regularly enjoys visiting an older lady and says, "It makes me appreciate my health and realise that life is short so it's important to make the most of it".

Susie has successfully secured more funding to enhance the effectiveness of the volunteer programme. "I am now devising a programme including exercise and music classes for housebound users. I am also looking into training opportunities for volunteers. I am talking to a government funded organisation to explore the possibility of training our volunteers so that they eventually achieve NVQ level 2 in Advice and Guidance. The qualified volunteers can then help me to hold weekly advice sessions at our centre to serve the needs of older Chinese people. They will also attend housebound older Chinese people at home to provide them with advice and support. The aim is to enable our volunteers to develop skills that will make them more marketable in the wider workforce and provide an additional service for our members".

Susie is also looking into the feasibility of setting up a domiciliary care scheme for older Chinese people. "We would like to provide a service for older people who would like help with their housework, shopping or personal care. I'm collating data at present to see if there is sufficient demand for us to set up such a service"

If you would like to become involved in the befriending project either as a volunteer or, you would like someone to visit you or your friend/relative, please contact Susie Yau on 020 7263 5986. Please also let us know if you are interested in obtaining free training in Advice and Guidance, NVQ level 2.

If you are interested in becoming a home help or, if you would like to receive domiciliary support please also let Susie know on the above number. Please note that Susie only works part-time on Wednesday/Thursday and half-days Friday (up to 2pm).

(Report from Susie Yau)