We have received a Grant from the National Lottery Covid-19 for our Saathi Connect Project which aims to address and mitigate the resulting loneliness and social isolation and replicate groups where older people usually meet face to face
The Saathi Connect Project will benefit older people who usually attend 'Older People's Groups'. For many this weekly session was their only opportunity for socialisation and exercise. Enforced social distancing has deprived them of this contact. It will provide the opportunity for socialisation, learning and activity and will also facilitate engagement and connection to the wider community, reducing the impact of enforced social isolation
We will establish a virtual ‘Friendship Circle’, 'Saathi Connect' (meaning 'being with'/ partnership), using Zoom, to provide a variety of social, emotional, mental and physical activities to address the impact of enforced social isolation including:-
We will facilitate the setting up of Zoom Dementia PALs sessions and will work with current leaders and volunteers within Organisations to identify people living with dementia and/or their carers who would benefit from this Project. We will also provide support to potential participants to improve their digital skills to enable them to take part in the sessions
We would very much welcome the opportunity to work with organisations to complement the services which they already provide to the members of their communities, in particular their older adults